Wyatt Denny finished a great year with an 82-point bareback ride at the Wharton College Rodeo Saturday night, April 25.

The first place finish just secured his spot at the top of the leader board in the Southern Region standings. Denny, who is from Minden, Nev., will compete next for Panola College at the College National Finals Rodeo (C.N.F.R.) , in Casper, Wyo. on June 14-20. The top three in each event from colleges all over the nation will compete there for a national title.

Denny is the 2015 Southern Region Champion Bareback rider, and is expected to finish what he started  at the C.N.F.R. in June.

Bull rider Gannon Ivy finished the season off ranked third in the Southern Region, and secured himself a spot at the C.N.F.R.  in Wyoming. Ivy, from Hampton, Ark., a first-time qualifier for the finals, has had a very good year, suffering very few minor injuries this season. Ivy’s success and ability to stay healthy is a direct result of the hard physical work he does to keep himself in great shape, according to Jeff Collins, Panola College Rodeo Coach.

Ethan Andrepont, a freshman, had a great ride as well in Wharton. Andrepont finished in sixth place in the bareback riding. His year started slow, but he has turned it up the last few rodeos  with some quality bareback rides. Andrepont will return to Panola next year, and is expected to be a huge asset to Panola Ponies.

Chance McMahon, another outstanding freshman, scored 82 points in the bull riding for the second place finish in Wharton. McMahon will be returning  next year and promises to be an asset to the Ponies in the future.

Wyatt Denny, in left photo, and Gannon Ivy, in right photo, accept their winning belt buckles after earning a chance to compete in the National Collegiate Rodeo this summer. -