Excitement in College Station: Aggies on the Rise
Hey, all you college sports fans! If you’re in College Station, Texas, you probably felt the buzz recently as the Southeastern Conference rivalry heated up between the No. 10 Texas A&M Aggies and the South Carolina Gamecocks. With the coveted Bonham Trophy on the line, Aggies and Gamecock fans alike were on the edge of their seats, anxiously awaiting what would unfold.
Texas A&M: More than Just Football
Now, let’s switch gears for a moment. College Station is not just home to wild games and electric atmosphere during football season; it’s also a melting pot of talent and drive. Every Aggie embodies a passion for service and strives for excellence. This spirit fuels a legacy that thrives both on and off the field.
College Station Traffic Woes
But, let’s not ignore one of the biggest challenges college students face around here—traffic! If you’ve navigated through College Station recently, you might agree that it can feel like a never-ending circus. Sure, we do have a bus system that serves its purpose, but some days, it seems like everyone decided to hop in their cars at once!
A Heartwarming Rodeo Story
Achieving Greatness in Rodeo
From June 9 to June 15, both Richards and French made waves at the Ford Wyoming Center in Casper, Wyoming. Talk about a spotlight moment! Madalyn snagged the title of CNFR champion in breakaway roping and also clinched the title of All-Around Cowgirl, while Gavin proudly took home fifth place in the nation for bareback riding. “I just am excited for everyone here to see all of our hard work come to fruition and give other people that might not know our story some exposure,” Richards shared with enthusiasm.
The Journey Behind the Camera
Now, how did the world get to witness such a phenomenal achievement? The idea to create a three-part video series blossomed about two years ago when the rodeo team kicked off campaigns to raise funds for a new coach. Enter Courtney Sacco, a multimedia project coordinator from AgriLife who decided to follow the two budding stars’ journey. “I reached out to the rodeo team and asked for two kids to showcase, and they gave me the names of Madalyn and Gavin,” he explained.
Capturing the Thrill
Sacco’s venture transformed into an extraordinary showcase as he followed the duo to Casper. One of the most thrilling aspects of filming was trying to capture their swift and fierce skills, as both competitors usually wrapped their events in under ten seconds! “We had two really awesome kids to film going up to Casper, and their skills were impressive because of how fast they finished competitions,” said Sacco.
A Labor of Love
After hours of raw footage turned into a meticulously crafted series, the result was nothing short of captivating. As scenes unfolded, they played against a magical melody of violin strings—a perfect culmination of storytelling. For Gavin, putting on his maroon A&M Rodeo vest felt like donning a superhero cape. “It feels really cool to finally be at this event, and this film has been a long time coming,” he shared.
Looking Ahead
As the event came to a close, sacrifices and hard work were celebrated, but for Richards and French, the rodeo is merely the beginning. Looking toward the future, Richards plans to pursue her master’s degree in agricultural economics in January 2025, while French sets his sights on dental school. Their time in rodeo has taught them resilience, discipline, and the importance of hard work—qualities they’ll undoubtedly carry into their careers.
So here’s to Texas A&M! Whether on the football field or in the rodeo ring, Aggies continue to show that with dedication and teamwork, everything is possible!
