H.R. No. 1555
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The West Texas A&M University rodeo team continued a
proud tradition of success with its outstanding performances over
the course of the 2021 season; and
WHEREAS, Forty members from around the country compete in the
WTAMU program, which came into existence more than a quarter
century ago and has produced four regional champions and four
College National Finals Rodeo qualifiers in the past five years
alone; the Buffaloes enjoy tremendous support from the Texas
Panhandle community and the university and were awarded over 20
scholarships in 2020; and
WHEREAS, West Texas A&M was paced in 2021 by Hayden Cape, who
was second in Southwest Region team roping heeling and will compete
at the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Finals in June;
excelling in team roping all year, he won the title in Levelland,
won the long round and was second in average and points in both
Sweetwater and Big Spring, and placed second overall in
Stephenville; and
WHEREAS, The Buffaloes received stellar showings throughout
their campaign; in the team's first event in Odessa, Kallen Johnson
and Owen Wahlert earned berths in the calf roping finals, each
winning points and respectively placing in the average and long
round; additionally, at Big Spring, Mr. Johnson was awarded points
and placed in round and average in tie-down roping; and
WHEREAS, At Levelland, Brian Gillen achieved tie-down roping
points, winning the long round and placing in average for WTAMU, and
breakaway roper Shelby Espenson secured points and placed in the
long round; team roper Weston Hollowell won the long round and was
second in the average and earned points in Sweetwater, and he placed
in the long round at Stephenville; in Snyder, Calli Montague placed
in average and earned points in breakaway roping, and Amie Hennen
won points and placed in the barrel racing long round; and
WHEREAS, West Texas A&M also received valuable contributions
from the other members of the roster: Lexi Bartley, Cameron Bass,
Winston Brown, Lucy Gordon, Ericka Heckman, Cade Holden, Kooper
Huddleston, Elena Jenow, Dylan Jones, Konnar Knotwell, Georgie
Lage, Madison Milligan, Cooper Morris, Madison Pritchard, Blake
Ramsey, Jace Roselle, Sierra Sharp, Jayden Shearer, and Ashlyn
Williams; these talented student-athletes were ably led by head
coach Raymond Hollabaugh and assistant coach Jordan Jo Fabrizio;
and
WHEREAS, The WTAMU Buffaloes have furthered their school's
exceptional record of achievement in rodeo, and they may indeed
reflect with pride on a job well done; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate the West Texas A&M University rodeo
team on its successful 2021 season and extend to the squad sincere
best wishes for continued success; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the team as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Price
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1555 was adopted by the House on May
29, 2021, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House