MEMPHIS - The past and the present of Northwest rodeo came together at the annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl Rodeo on December 26.

Sophomore Darby Toole won the women's breakaway roping event, while Northwest alumnus and current rodeo pro Kindyl Scruggs took home first place in the barrel racing event. 

A native of Eudora, Toole earned a time of 3.5 seconds and was the only competitor to finish with a qualifying time. This marks the second time in as many years that Toole has placed in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl Rodeo, as she finished fourth in barrel racing last year.

Meanwhile, Scruggs finished with a time of 15.237 seconds to win the barrel racing event, placing ahead of three other riders. The Southaven native and 2020 Northwest Sports Hall of Fame inductee is slated to compete at the upcoming International Finals Rodeo from January 11-14 in Guthrie, Okla.

December was a banner month for the Northwest rodeo program, as coach Will Lummus competed in the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, winning the 10th round. Current steer wrestlers Will Collier, Kent Jordan and Wyatt Newman also represented the Rangers in the YETI Junior World Finals, with Newman advancing to the final short-go round.

Northwest capped off the fall portion of the Ozark Region schedule, placing second in the men's team standings. The Rangers will resume the second half of the season at East Mississippi from March 14-16.