World Class Roper Majoring in Elementary Education at SUU

Posted: February 06, 2020 | Author: Savannah Byers | Read Time: 2 minutes

Kycen WinnAnnabella, Utah native Kycen Winn is a world-class competitive roper majoring in elementary education at Southern Utah University. Winn recently transferred from Snow College and is in his first semester at SUU. 

Winn’s paternal family line is full of rodeo junkies, school principals, and SUU graduates. With the goal of earning his administrative license, Winn plans to carry on the trio of tradition as a fourth-generation SUU graduate, then become a school principal. 

“SUU will help me accomplish my goals with their great education program, and even better teachers,” Winn said. “I enjoy the teachers and how much they do to help you with whatever you need.”

Seeing his father’s love for rodeoing growing up, Winn and his two brothers decided to follow in his footsteps. As a family, they love to practice team roping, and Kycen always enjoyed being a heeler.  

“I like roping because it’s a family tradition I’ve been raised into,” Winn said. “The rodeo family is full of the best people to be around. They will do anything for anyone. It’s more than just a sport.” 

With teammate Hank Robins, Winn won the #13 YETI World Series of Team Roping Finale after knocking down four steers in 29.03 seconds. He’s also a Reserve Region Champion Heeler, the first team roper to win two ropings at the World Series in the same year, and he’s qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo the past three consecutive years. In the 2019 Wilderness Circuit Standings, Winn currently ranks 14. 

Each year, SUU's Rodeo Club competes in ten events. In the current 2019-2020 Rocky Mountain Region Standings, SUU’s men’s team ranks third, and women’s team ranks ninth. Kycen Winn is the number one Team Roping Heeler in the region, and number three in the nation

“Kycen is fun to watch competing,” said Shane Flanigan, SUU Rodeo Team Coach. “He does a good job, and he’s got a good eye for cattle. He’s a nice guy who’s going to be a phenomenal elementary school teacher.”

SUU’s Rodeo Club annually hosts the first event of the season the weekend after Labor Day. Keep up with Southern Utah University’s Rodeo Club on their Facebook page. Learn more about SUU’s elementary education degree.  

Tags: Education College of Education and Human Development

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