Fort Mccoy Florida

North Marion graduates ropes herself a rodeo scholarship

While not the typical athletic scholarship, several Marion County students have taken advantage of the opportunity it offers to pay for part of their college costs.

"Out west, there are a lot of university and community college teams. Unfortunately, there are none in Florida, which forces our kids to leave the state," said Sue Bennetch, Skyler's mother.

"Most people don't realize that you can even earn a scholarship for rodeo," she said.

Skyler, who has been active in rodeo with her family for more than 13 years and recently graduated from North Marion High School, will attend Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Mo., which has a vibrant rodeo program.

The team has its own practice facility, which includes two full-size arenas, an indoor and outdoor roping area, and a 60-stall barn. All of it is within walking distance of the rodeo team dorm.

"It's all a part of the school campus. I liked it a lot. It's a brand new dorm area, and it's not even 50 yards from the practice pen and barn. I'm really excited about it," Skyler said.

While Bennetch prepares to start her studies this fall, brothers Josh and Jonathan Torres have already spent several years under rodeo scholarships at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, La. Both graduated from North Marion as well.

"The scholarship helped tremendously. There are a lot of expenses, especially being out of state. The scholarship helped with all those, except living expenses, but other than that you get to go to school for free and do what you love while you get an education," said Josh Torres, who graduated college last year. He is still on the McNeese State rodeo team while he works on his master's.

Johnathan is entering his junior year and has enjoyed his time at school.

"It's given us a lot of experience, and you get to meet people and compete while going to school. Being on the rodeo team has helped to keep me motivated," he said.

The brothers compete in team roping, where Josh ropes a steer's head while Jonathan ropes the steer's back feet. The event is timed.

"We compete in the southern region against schools like Sam Houston State and Texas A&M," Josh said.

For both Skyler and the Torres brothers, rodeo has been a way of life.

The Torres family moved to Marion County from the Miami area years ago to be closer to horse country. Skyler's father, Mark, who died last year, was active in the Florida high school rodeo scene and competed himself. Marion County is also host to several high school and professional rodeos throughout the year.

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