Battaglia wins team roping contest in Tehachapi rodeo

By Joe Naiman

Ramona’s Marcus Battaglia won the team roping event at the Tehachapi Mountain Rodeo.

Battaglia was the header and partnered with heeler Kyle Lockett of Visalia for a winning time of 5.3 seconds in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association rodeo.

“Steer was excellent, and my heeler came around and pulled an excellent shot off,” Battaglia said.

Battaglia and Lockett competed in the afternoon performance on Aug. 20. They drew the same steer used during the slack that morning when Lakeside’s Ed Necochea and Bakersfield’s Dennis Watkins had a run of 5.7 seconds, which ended up being the rodeo’s second-place time.

“I knew he was good,” Battaglia said of the steer.

Battaglia, who rode Cocky, also knew that his timing leaving the chute was key to a good run.

“The chute was definitely going to make it or break it,” he said.

Battaglia noted Lockett’s role in the successful run.

“I didn’t handle him the best,” Battaglia said of the steer.

Battaglia and Lockett each earned $1,343 for their team roping win.

“I’m hoping that win at Tehachapi kind of got me a spot in the circuit finals,” Battaglia said.

The top 12 earners in each event during the regular season, which runs from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, qualify for the California Circuit finals rodeo.

Lockett also won the tie-down roping event (Battaglia’s time was too long to place) and placed in steer wrestling to win the rodeo’s All-Around championship.