Allan Hancock College’s Rodeo Team finished their 2025 season with
an impressive list of accomplishments and accolades. Courtesy photo.
SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College’s Rodeo Team finished its 2025 season with an impressive list of awards and accomplishments.
The team’s final competition took place at the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association’s (NIRA) West Coast Regional Finals in Las Vegas, Nevada, on May 2-4. Hancock freshman breakaway roper Molly Pole had a 3.4-second run and placed fifth out of 88 breakaway ropers. Hancock sophomore Cody French and his team roping partner Haleigh Grant went 8.0 seconds to win the team roping category.
In addition to their stellar performance in Nevada, the West Coast Region Coaches also voted Hancock’s inaugural Spring RoundUp competition as “College Rodeo of the Year”. The two-day event was held at the Santa Maria Elks Center on March 29-30, and included more than 350 competitors from colleges across California and Nevada.
As it prepares for another season, the team is planning to expand, welcoming local talents Sadie Grant and Luke Stamper, who will join them in the fall. Grant will be competing in barrel racing, breakaway roping, team roping and goat tying. Stamper will compete in steer wrestling, tie-down roping and team roping. Both Pole and French will be returning, along with team roper Blake VanStavern.
To raise money for the coming season, the team and its boosters will host its annual dinner and auction, now renamed the Jim Glines Memorial Dinner & Auction, on Aug. 23 at the Santa Maria Elks Lodge 1538. The evening will include a dinner by Billy Ruiz of Cowboy Flavor and a live auction, with all proceeds benefiting the team.
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