SENATOBIA – Northwest hosted its Seventh Annual Spring Rodeo last weekend at the Multipurpose Livestock Arena, pulling about 3,500 specatators over the three-day performance April 7-9. 

"We got numerous compliments from the quality of the show from the participating schools and had a great turnout," second-year head coach Bruce Lee said. "We were blessed with three nights of perfect weather and really had a good time."

The third stop on the NIRA Ozark Region spring schedule, the 2011 show featured close to 100 college athletes who competed in 10 events from saddle bronc riding to goat tying. 

Missouri Valley College took first place in the men's team results with 610 points, holding off Southern Arkansas (550 pts) and the University of West Alabama (530 pts). In the women's results, Southern Arkansas (325 pts) edged out Troy University (300 pts) to take first place.

Acie Campbell of West Alabama claimed first prize in the men's all-around competition, scoring 240 points, while Southern Arkansas' Jessica Duncan scored 210 points to take the women's all-around. 

Northwest had eight competitors on the weekend but did not place in any events. "I think sometimes it's a little hard to have something in your own backyard," Lee said. "Our riders were not only focused on their own events but on the production of the entire rodeo as well... which was a huge success." 

Next year's show has been set for Thursday to Saturday, April 19-21 in Senatobia, with hopes to make it an even bigger and better show.