GUTHRIE, Okla. - Though she has yet to compete in a single NIRA event for Northwest, freshman Darby Toole has already made a name for herself ahead of her freshman season.

Toole, a native of Hernando and a graduate of DeSoto Christian Academy, took home the Reserve World Championship for barrel racing at the National Little Britches Rodeo Association Finals last week. She finished second in the short-go on Sunday with her mare, Kate, to clinch the championship.

Last summer, Toole placed in the top seven at the event for barrel racing and has previously qualified for nationals in barrel racing, breakaway roping and pole bending. She is the recipient of the Scott Potts Memorial Scholarship and also graduated with honors as a member of the National Honor Society.

Northwest will begin its 2022-23 season in September, with the full Ozark Region schedule slated to be released later this summer. More information on Toole and the rest of the freshman class will be available in the coming weeks on nwccrangers.com.