BILL ALPIN TOP COWBOY: Annual Rodeo Draws Participants From Four States Area Colleges

College cowboys and cowgirls from four states took part in the annual Texarkana College Rodeo November 11-13 at the Four States Fair Rodeo Arena.

Top contenders from the area’s major colleges competed for prizes under the rules of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association.

Western Day and a Western Day Dance the night of November 10 kicked off the events. At the dance Susan Payne was crowned Rodeo Queen. Miss Payne is a freshman at Texarkana College.

Acting as hostesses were Miss Texarkana, Bertie Lela Good, 1954 Miss Four States Fair and Rodeo co-sweethearts, Sharon Wright and Pat Middleton, and the 1965 Miss Four States Fair and Rodeo sweetheart, Sandy Williams.

The individuals honors went to Bill Alpin of Tarleton State College, who took Best-All-Around Cowboy honors and was awarded the handtooled saddle by Miss Texarkana.

Sam Houston State boys and girls teams took the team trophies.

Individual event winners were:

  • Calf Roping — first place, Billy Alpin, Tarleton; second place, Ronnie Williams, Sam Houston.
  • Bareback Riding — first place, Phil Lyne, Sam Houston and John Mullins, NSC, La., tie.
  • Ribbon Roping — first place, Charles Bitter, Tarleton; second place, Bobby Robinson, Texas A&M.
  • Bull Dogging — first place, Phil Lyne, Sam Houston; second place, Billy Alpin, Tarleton.
  • Bull Riding — first place, Tuffy Williams, Texarkana and Laney Anowalty, Stephen F. Austin, Tie.
  • Goat Tying — first place, Becky Beggren, Sam Houston; second place, Willie Gregson, Sam Houston.
  • Barrel Racing — first place, Tootie Higgins, Sam Houston State; second place, Becky Beggren, Sam Houston.
  • Saddle Bronc — first place, Billy Streater, Southwest Texas; second place, Alon Henderson, Sam Houston.