North Platte, Neb. – May 27, 2019 – The rodeo people in North Platte care about their animals.

They are improving the conditions of the dirt at the Wild West Arena for the Buffalo Bill Rodeo, so that horses are less likely to slip while competing at the rodeo.

The Buffalo Bill Rodeo committee was part of the SAF (Safe Arena Footing) program, in conjunction with the Women’s Pro Rodeo Association (WPRA).

Twenty samples of dirt from the arena, plus a water sample, was submitted for testing for particulate size, composition, and the percentage of clay, silt and sand in the soil.

An expert analyzed the soil then made recommendations for what should be added to the dirt already in the arena.

It’s all for the safety of the animals, especially the horses, said Jack Morris, chairman of the rodeo committee. When horses make sharp, fast turns, there’s the possibility of falls or injury, if the ground is slick, and that’s something the committee and rodeo contestants don’t want. “It’s for the well-being of the animals,” Morris said. “This is an animal welfare project.”

Results showed that particulate size and composition was within the acceptable range, but that adding organic sulfur would help reduce compaction and the stickiness of the soil. The sulfur reacts with the clay in the dirt, to make the clay “less sticky,” Morris said, “so it wouldn’t gumball so bad.”  The arena also became compacted in the paths where horses ran, packing the soil. The sulfur will prevent the soil from compacting so easily.

Two tons of organic sulfur was put on the arena in early May, and a reclaimer machine, much like a huge rototiller, was used to work the sulfur in.

The results also recommended that aluminum sulfate should be added to the water that is spread on the arena, to also help control compaction. About 500 pounds of aluminum sulfate will be added to the water truck before the water is sprinkled on the arena the days of the rodeo.

The committee also borrowed a machine to rip up the hardpan but not pack the dirt down to what it had been.

Good arena conditions are what every performance horse owner and competitor prefers, said barrel racer Gayle White, who lives near Dickens, Neb. The cowgirl, who has been a professional barrel racer for more than twenty years, says that ground doesn’t have to be deep, “like where horses sink in for eight inches, because that’s also hard on horses. But it has to be of the composition where they don’t slip and slide, can run full speed, and turn at a fast rate.”

White said the cost of performance horses, including barrel horses, is high. “In the pros, they will go up to $250,000, and you won’t find one that can run with the professional cowgirls for less than $50,000 to $70,000.” She also said there are expenses beyond the cost of the horse, including veterinary bills, with simple checkups running up to $1,000. And if a horse is injured, the rodeo athlete is without their animal and unable to compete. “If a cowgirl is working to make the National Finals Rodeo, an injury pretty much stops her. I don’t think people realize how fragile these performance horses are, to be able to work at the top of their game.” She is pleased with the work the rodeo is doing.  “Kudos to the Buffalo Bill Rodeo committee,” she said.

Safety for the animals is paramount, Morris said. “The last thing we want is for somebody to cripple their horse,” he said. “That’s an absolute unacceptable option. Whatever we can do, we have to stay on top of it.”

The Buffalo Bill Rodeo takes place at the Wild West Rodeo Arena in North Platte June 12-15 with performances beginning at 8 p each night.

Tickets for the rodeo can be purchased at the NebraskalandDays office, online at NebraskalandDays.com, and at the gate. For more information, visit the website or call the office at 308.532.7939.

 

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Spencer Schwellenbach’s bases-loaded double highlighted Nebraska’s five-run third inning, and the fifth-seeded Cornhuskers went on to beat No. 4 seed Minnesota 8-2 in the Big Ten Tournament on Wednesday night.

Matt Waldron (6-3) scattered six singles, walked none and struck out nine in 7 1/3 innings as the Cornhuskers (29-20) won for the fifth time in six games. They’ll play eighth-seeded Iowa on Thursday night.

Angelo Altavilla tripled in two runs to help Nebraska get out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning and Schwellenbach broke open the game in the third.

The Gophers loaded the bases loaded with one out in the eighth, but reliever Robbie Palkert got Eli Wilson to line out and struck out Cole McDevitt.

Minnesota starter Patrick Fredrickson (2-4) allowed eight runs, six earned, in 2 2/3 innings. The defending tournament champion Gophers (26-26) play top-seeded Indiana in an elimination game Thursday.

North Platte Community College women’s basketball team head coach Jeff Thurman has announced the recruiting class for 2019-20. The lineup includes:

Ashley Hassett

 

Hometown: Hershey, Neb.

School: Hershey High School

 

 

Accomplishments and recognitions:

• First Team SPVA All-Conference
• First Team Telegraph All-Area
• Lincoln Journal Star Honorable Mention
• Omaha World-Herald Honorable Mention
• Senior year stats: 15.5 ppg – 3.1 rpg – 1 apg – 3.7 spg

“Ashley is a local area student-athlete with loads of talent, and we are excited to be adding her to our program,” Thurman said. “She is a very accomplished player out of Hershey High School and is someone that can flat out score the basketball. Ashley is multidimensional as a player. She can score from all three-levels and loves the game. She will fit in great with our team.”

Viridiana (Viri) Escobar

 

Hometown: Yuma, Colo.

School: Yuma High School

 

 

 

Accomplishments and recognitions:

• Honorable Mention All-Conference
• Two-time Colorado High School Girls Basketball State Champion
• “Chiefs” – Volunteering at Elementary Schools
• Lettered in Softball
• Senior year stats: 5.1 ppg – 2.5 rpg – 3.1 apg – 2.0 spg

“Viri is a great student and a gifted basketball player,” said Thurman. “She is a winner plain and simple. She can shoot it, handle it, pass it and is a great leader. We graduate our two sophomores who spent time at the point guard position this season, so it is imperative that we bring in a talented student-athlete for that position. We are excited about her joining our program.”

Janay Brauer

 

Hometown: Sidney, Neb.

School: Sidney High School

 

 

 

Accomplishments and recognitions:

• First Team All-Conference
• Lincoln Journal Star Honorable Mention
• Omaha World-Herald Honorable Mention
• Three-time state tournament appearance
• Senior year stats: 8.3 ppg – 4.3 rpg – 2.6 apg – 2.1 spg

“Janay comes from a well-coached and very successful high school program. She has the ability to play both guard positons and score from different spots on the floor,” said Thurman. “Janay is an unselfish player who wants to see teammates succeed. She loves the game of basketball and will work tirelessly to improve. She’s a gym rat, and that’s what we love as a coaching staff.”

Isabela (Isa) Valenzuela

 

Hometown: Westminster, Colo.

School: Legacy High School

 

 

 

Accomplishments and recognitions:

• Broke the Legacy High School record for most 3s in a game (6 3s)
• Honorable Mention for Front Range All Conference
• Played on Front Range Conference All-Star Team
• Senior year stats: 7.7 ppg – 2.2 apg – 3.9 rpg – 1.4 spg

“Isa is a great addition to our program,” said Thurman. “She is a high-character student-athlete who will get it done for us on the basketball floor and in the classroom. Her length and athleticism, plus her shooting ability, are phenomenal. Having been battled tested in 5A ball in Colorado, we look for Isa to come in right away and help us immediately.”

Jalyn Reagans

 

Hometown: Mesquite, Texas

School: Horn High School

 

 

 

Accomplishments and recognitions:

• Academic All-District
• Honorable Mention All-Conference
• Senior year stats: 4.4 ppg – 0.4 apg – 5.2 rpg – 0.5 spg

“Jalyn gives us the needed size and strength we need in the painted-area,” said Thurman. “She comes from 6A basketball in Dallas, Texas, which will benefit in her transition to the collegiate level. Jalyn is a high-character student-athlete who has the ability to be a leader from day one. She will push herself and her teammates every day in order for us to get better. We are extremely excited to have her join our program.”

Mercedes Rodriguez

 

Hometown: Holly, Colo.

School: Holly Jr./Sr. High School

 

 

 

 

Accomplishments and recognitions:

• All-Conference 2019
• National Honor Society secretary
• Principal’s Honor Roll
• Colorado High School Lamp of Learning
• Colorado AHEC health certificate
• Senior year stats: 11.5 ppg – 1.3 apg – 6.3 rpg – 1.2 spg

“Mercedes’ ability to play multiple positons and score from different levels is very impressive,” said Thurman. “She is a high-character individual who is the epitome of the type of student-athlete we want in our program to build our culture. She is a great addition to our program, institution and community.”

Amber Wolever

 

Hometown: Snyder, Colo.

School: Brush High School

 

 

 

 

Accomplishments and recognitions:

• Played volleyball and basketball all four years in high school.
• All-Conference basketball
• Played in the Colorado Coaches of Girls Sports Game
• Member of All-State Academic Team
• Honor Roll all four years with a 4.0 GPA.
• Senior year stats: 11.2 ppg – 1.7 apg – 6.1 rpg – 2.7 spg

“Amber is a pass-first point guard who looks to get her teammates involved early and often,” Thurman said. “Amber brings some toughness that you don’t normally see with an incoming freshman. She is an amazing student in the classroom and individual the community. Amber is exactly what we look for in a student-athlete and with our culture.”

Catie Whitehead

 

Hometown: New Port Richey, Fla.

School: J.W. Mitchell High School

 

 

 

• Transfer student-athlete from Cloud County Community College

“We are really fortunate to add Catie for her sophomore year here at NPCC,” Thurman said. “Having coached against her, and seeing her play in high school, she is someone who will be a great addition to our team both on the court and off. Catie loves the game of basketball and is someone who adds scoring and leadership to our team immediately.”