SCOOBA - Less than a single full season into Will Lummus' tenure as the Northwest rodeo coach, the Rangers have plenty to be excited about.

Both men's and women's rodeo programs had a successful fall campaign and the Rangers aim to pick up right where they left off, beginning the spring portion of competition at this weekend's East Mississippi Rodeo in Meridian.

Though the women's team currently sits at No. 8 in the NIRA's Ozark Region standings and the men are slotted at 10th, Northwest has numerous competitors making noise in the individual standings. Colby Burgess ranks sixth in bull riding with 100 points, not far outside of the current top three, while David Holt sits at No. 9 with 150 points in the tie-down roping standings, once again not far off from the top three.

In barrel racing, two Northwest competitors find themselves within the top 15. Darby Toole enters the spring season tied for eighth with 110 points, while Riley Kate Lenagar is tied for 15th with 80 total points.

This weekend's EMCC Rodeo will begin on Thursday, March 16 and run through Saturday evening, March 18, with all events to be held at the Lauderdale County Agri-Center in Meridian. Gates will open at 7 P.M. each night and tickets will cost $10, with children five and under receiving free admission.

Other events on tap for the spring portion of the Ozark Region schedule include a weekend in Poplarville at Pearl River (March 23-25), Arkansas-Monticello (April 6-8) and UT Martin (April 13-15). The annual Ranger Rodeo in Senatobia will close out the regular season on April 27-29. (More information about the Ranger Rodeo will be presented in the coming days.)