New Mexico State University rodeo athlete McLane Arballo took first place in steer wrestling at Dine Community College Sept.14. The Aggies will host the Grand Canyon Region Rodeo at the Southern New Mexico State Fair Thursday, Sept. 26. (NMSU Photo by Savannah Montero).

The New Mexico State University rodeo team will host the Grand Canyon Region Rodeo at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26 at the Southern New Mexico State Fair in Las Cruces.

Tickets to the rodeo are $14 for adults, $10 for kids, and free for children six and under. Tickets can be purchased in advance at Boot Barn, Horse N Hound Feed N Supply and Pic Quick stores.

“I love the state fair because we get so much hometown support for the university and a place where we can showcase the rodeo team talent in a family fun environment,” said team coordinator Madalyn Schmidt.

The NMSU rodeo athletes traveled more than 400 miles to compete at Dine Community College’s rodeo in Tsaile, Arizona Sept. 14. The women’s team placed second, and the men’s team placed third in the region. LeighAnn Scribner won the women’s all-around and breakaway events. Aggies also capturing top honors included Levi Whitley in bull riding and McLane Arballo in steer wrestling. Runner-up finishes went to Bethanie Shofner for breakaway and Jayde Wamel in barrel racing, and Preston Ogle took third place in saddle bronc.

After the state fair, the team will travel to Douglas, Arizona, to compete at Cochise College Sept. 27-28. They will complete their fall schedule Oct. 11-12 at Mesalands Community College in Tucumcari, New Mexico.

For more information on the rodeo team contact Schmidt at msch16@nmsu.edu or head coach Logan Corbett at lcorbett@nmsu.edu.