NMSU rodeo team rides to historic wins

With grit and determination, New Mexico State University’s rodeo team wrapped up its 2024-2025 season in championship style by securing regional titles and celebrating its first national champion since 2011. 

“It was an outstanding year,” head coach Brice Baggarley said. “The men’s team went undefeated all season and was ranked second nationally going into the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyoming. The men finished first, earning the title of Grand Canyon Regional Champions, while the women placed second in the region.” 

NMSU had one of the largest teams at the 2025 CNFR, with 15 Aggies competing in 18 events. Four students – Annie Alexander, Nate Clark, Cassidy Bradshaw and Brad Moreno – advanced to the short round. 

“In our region, the top two men’s and women’s teams get to send full-points teams to the college finals – so that’s the goal all season,” Baggarley said. 

Moreno became the first NMSU Aggie in 13 years to bring home a national title. He captured the All-Around Cowboy title and placed third in bull-riding and roping alongside teammate Lucas Cruz. He and Cruz also finished in fourth place in the second round of team roping. 

“I’ve been part of rodeo since I was a baby,” said Moreno, who graduated in May 2025 and now competes professionally. “I won a lot of cool titles my last year at NMSU, but practicing with a goal and having fun kept me sharp.” 

Bradshaw also made her mark at the 2025 CNFR, placing sixth in breakaway roping. 

“I’ve been rodeoing for almost 15 years,” she said. “Winning the region by over 200 points and making the short round at nationals was a goal I’ve had for a long time. It’s a reward for all the hard work my family, horses and I have put in. I’m proud to wear an NMSU vest.” 

Baggarley attributes the team’s success to its tight-knit culture and shared work ethic.

“The camaraderie has been there, and I’ve been fortunate in my four years coaching that our teams have all been very close,” he said. “They all grind so hard. Keeping the fun in it was important this year, not just for the coaches, but for the teams.” 

Echoing Baggarley’s sentiment, Bradshaw said, “Work ethic reflects who you are as a person and circles back to our team. Rodeo is an individual sport, but if our team isn’t working hard day in and day out, more likely than not individuals aren’t getting any better. So, pushing your teammates in a positive way every day makes everyone better.” 

Baggarley hopes the team’s success carries over to the 2025-2026 season, currently underway. He said he is especially excited for his first class of recruits, now in their fourth year with the team. 

“Seeing their development from freshman year to senior year has been awesome,” he said. “Some of our underclassmen are ready to step up. I think we’ll be just as competitive.” 

Baggarley added that it’s his mission to develop not only great athletes but great people. 

“I tell my recruits three things: Become a better person, earn a degree that serves you and get better in the arena,” he said. “I try to recruit good people because that builds a stronger culture.” 

Both Moreno and Bradshaw agreed that the team could not have achieved its recent success without Baggarley and assistant coach Tate Harmon at the helm. 

“I couldn’t be more thankful for our coaches,” Bradshaw said, adding, “I want to become someone people admire, and NMSU rodeo is helping me get there.” 

A version of this story appears in the fall 2025 issue of ACES Magazine. For more stories, visit https://nmsu.news/aces-magazine-2025.