East Texas A&M University cowgirl Rylee George captured the national championship in Breakaway Roping at the 2025 College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR), adding another title to the Lion Rodeo program’s impressive record.
George’s victory marks the fifth individual national championship for East Texas A&M in just four years, achieved by four different riders.
Five Lions qualified for the CNFR after placing in the top three of their events in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) Southern Region standings. Alongside George, qualifiers included Jill White, Mayce Marek, Trace Harris, and Garrett Freeman.
George and Harris advanced to the CNFR championship finals after finishing among the top 12 in their qualifying rounds. Harris finished twelfth in Steer Wrestling.
Entering the final round of Breakaway Roping with a cumulative time of 7.7 seconds, George roped her calf in 2.3 seconds, ending with a four-round total of 10 seconds flat. She tied for first place with Kate Eiland from Pearl River Community College, and both were declared co-champions.
Additionally, George’s horse, Royce, was named Breakaway Roping Horse of the Year by the American Quarter Horse Association.
Other Lion Rodeo competitors posted solid finishes:
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Freeman, paired with Northeast Texas Community College’s Teyton Barton, finished 19th in Team Roping.
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Marek placed 22nd overall in Goat Tying, with a first-round win timed at six seconds.
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White finished 34th in Breakaway Roping but won the third round with a 1.8-second run, narrowly missing the fastest time of the week by a tenth of a second.
The East Texas A&M Women’s team placed fourth overall with just three competitors, matching their highest-ever CNFR finish and marking their second-best season after topping the NIRA overall standings in 2020.
Head Rodeo Coach Dameon White praised the team’s efforts during the 2024-25 season.
“I am super proud of each team and the way they competed throughout this year. Everyone gave 110% and that is all we can ask for,” White said.
The recent national champions from East Texas A&M include:
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2025: Rylee George, Breakaway Roping
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2024: Kaden Profili, Team Roping
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2023: Kincade Henry, Tie Down Roping
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2022: Bryana Lehrmann, Breakaway Roping and Women’s All-Around Champion
