Story by: Thomas Armstrong

The Feather River College Rodeo team opened the spring season on Friday, March 28th at the West Hills College, Coalinga Rodeo (Season Schedule).  Team Captain Cody Russell stated that "we are in crunch time right now, we had plenty of time to prepare before the March event and we expect to finish top five this season."  Cody Russell is a Senior Bull Rider on the Golden Eagles Rodeo Team and last season, he was the lone Bull Rider.  Cody has been Bull riding since the age of 8.  His father rode Bulls professionally and his love for the animals and sport became infectious within the Russell family.  Cody is unique in many ways, he is a Senior at a California Community College competing in his fourth year of collegiate Rodeo, he is also already riding professionally with the PRCA (ProRodeos).  Feather River College Rodeo is a member of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) which includes Cal Poly State University - San Luis Obispo, Fresno State, Bakersfield, Cuesta, and University of Nevada-Las Vegas to name a few.  Academically, Russell is near completion of his four year Bachelor of Science in Equine and Ranch Management Degree.

Ava Solberg from Calpine, CA is also pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Equine and Ranch Management Degree, while serving as a team captain with FRC Rodeo.  Ava along with her quarter horses - Nelson, Vegas, and Dawn excel in barrel racing and goat tying.  The three horses happily live on-campus, similar to the majority of students attending FRC.  Ava began competing in Junior Rodeos at the age of seven and began riding horses when she was just three years old.  Ava is considered a strong "All-Around" athlete that can compete in multiple events.  When asked about a misconception some people have when it comes to Rodeo, the team captain responded with the following; "That we are hard on animals, we love animals, all of us have a passion for animals, weather conditions play a role in the mountains and we are constantly protecting our calves and goats, we build shelters for them, and the time commitment dedicated to the health and well-being of the animals is significant."

Ava and Cody both share a passion for animals, they both have dogs and admit that animals play a very significant role in their lives.  Cody began riding calves as a young child at Junior Rodeos switching to bulls at the age of 14 - he plans to continue riding professionally as well as breeding and selling bulls.  Ava is also heavily involved in the Equine program at FRC and plans to seek a career in that field, as well as training horses.  The team captains describe the collegiate rodeo circuit as a "Big Family" as they compete against the same students at each event throughout the spring.  Many of the rodeo students have competed against each other throughout the years beginning as children and despite attending different colleges, they have remained friends, bonded by shared passions.  FRC's team captains describe the shared experience as one of the many things that makes the Collegiate Rodeo events so much fun.  Good Luck Ava and Cody - we wish you the best this season, along with all the Golden Eagles Rodeo members, fans, and family!!