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Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference Athletics

PRCC Rodeo's Kate Eiland wins National Championship, Jay Rodrigue grabs sixth

Photo: Pearl River Sports Information

PRCC Rodeo's Kate Eiland wins National Championship, Jay Rodrigue grabs sixth
June 23, 2025
CASPER, Wyo. (PRCCAthletics.com) — With the weight of a National Championship hanging in the balance, Kate Eiland (Kentwood, La.) patiently awaited her turn. Thirteen competitors had come and gone, and she finally had her chance in the championship round of breakaway roping. Needing a 2.7-second run to etch her name into the history books, the Pearl River standout delivered exactly that, securing Pearl River rodeo's first-ever College National Finals Rodeo Championship.
 
"They told us we had to be a 2.7 to get it done," head coach Frank Graves said. "Kate and I had talked about it before the round. We had made it this far and weren't shooting for second, so she decided to go after it and whatever happens, happens. She knew what she had to be and got it done. I couldn't wait to get around there to talk with her. She was a long way away, so her dad and I took off running to get to her. It was great for her, for Pearl River rodeo and for this college to have something like that. It was an incredible moment."
 
It certainly wasn't easy for Eiland to get to that point, but she made each round count. Things nearly got off to a rough start as Eiland faced an issue with her rope, causing her to record a 3.0 in the opening round. Graves made sure Eiland's rope issue was resolved before her second-round appearance and the sophomore bounced back in dominant fashion, winning the round with a 1.9. Eiland played it safe in her final run to ensure a trip to the short-go, letting the calf move to earn a 2.4 and a spot in the short go. Finally, Eiland turned in her 2.7 in the championship round to win the National Championship.
 
"It's really exciting because I've known Kate for seven or eight years," Graves said. "I've seen her grow up then come rodeo for us. We really didn't have a great year as a team, but Kate was steady. Then she goes out there (Casper, Wyoming), gets it all worked out and wins the National Championship. That was special."
 
Eiland wasn't PRCC's only competitor to make some noise in Casper as freshman Jay Rodrigue (Thibodaux, La.) made it all the way to the championship round in bull riding. After registering no score in the first round, Rodrigue turned in a score of 84 in the second to win the round. He wrapped up the week sixth overall, setting a high bar for next season.
 
"Jay really came on strong as the year went along," Graves said. "I think it was the freshman jitters early, so now with this experience under his belt, I think he will be really good for us next year. I was proud of the way he represented us in Casper."
 


 

About the MACCC

The Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC)  is one of the premier community college conferences in the country and ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of alumni on professional sports teams. 

Current championship competition offered by the league includes competition for men in baseball, basketball, football, golf, soccer and tennis.  

Women's competition is offered in the sports of basketball, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball. 

 

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