THE LEWIS BROTHERS ARE KEEPING THE COWBOY SPIRIT ALIVE

Panola College Rodeo Coach Jeb Barney knew when he met Clint and Clay Lewis that they were two very special young men. Coach Barney was so impressed with the 19 year old twin brothers that he asked them to join Panola College’s fledgling rodeo team.

Raised in Mt. Pleasant, Texas, Clint and Clay come from a family of nine and have always been interested in rodeos…especially bull riding. “We started riding small bulls when we were three years old,” said Clint Lewis. “By the time we were 13, we were riding full size bulls.” 

Like most college athletes the brothers are adjusting to the demands of college life, working part time to help pay the bills and training to successfully represent their school. Clint is an accounting major and is currently ranked ninth in bull riding in the Southern Region. Clay is ranked first in the Southern region in bull riding, 10^th in the nation and is pursing a nursing degree at Panola College.

“Clint and Clay Lewis are two very talented bull riders, and that’s not their best asset,” said Coach Barney. “These two are some of the finest young men I have ever met. They study hard, work hard and ride great. It is a pleasure to have them on our team.”

This year the Houston Rodeo made the decision to spotlight collegiate talent. They invited the four highest ranked students in each event in the Southern and Southwestern regions to participate. Clay Lewis and Little Harold Sheppard represented Panola College.

On March 20, over 56,000 rodeo fans gathered in Reliance Stadium to watch the nation’s largest rodeo. Both young men representing Panola College and East Texas performed well with Clay Lewis capturing first place in bull riding and Little Harold Sheppard taking fifth place in calf roping.

At first glance one might think that Clint and Clay’s sole interests are school and rodeo. However, that assumption would be incorrect. Fifteen months ago Clint and Clay established the Double Blessing Cowboy Ministries. Through the ministry, the brothers have handed out Bibles and traveled to churches throughout East Texas telling congregations how Jesus Christ has blessed their lives.

“These young men are very unique,” said Coach Barney. “Both are competitive by nature, but you would never know it by their demeanor. If one brother is about to ride a bull in competition, the other brother will lay his hand on his brother’s shoulder and say a brief prayer for the other’s safety. And they don’t just pray for themselves. Many a Cowboy at the Houston Rodeo competed not knowing that Clint and Clay had touched their shoulder and said a prayer for their safety.”  

On April 1 and 2, the Panola College rodeo team will be holding their first college rodeo in Carthage, Texas. The rodeo will be held at the Panola County Cattlemen’s Association arena.  Performances will begin Friday April 1 at 7:30 pm, Saturday April 2 at 2 pm, and the finals will be Saturday at 7:30 pm.  The rodeo will feature cowboys and cowgirls from Panola College as well as other schools in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association’s Southern Region which include Sam Houston State University, Stephen F. Austin State University, Texas A&M, Texas A&M – Kingsville, Northeast Texas Community College, Hill College, McNeese State University, Northwestern State University, Southwest Texas Junior College, Texas State University and Wharton County Junior College. Panola College is ranked 5^th in the NIRA Southern Region.

This will be the seventh of ten rodeos to be held this season to determine which contestants will qualify for the college national finals rodeo to be held June 12-18 in Casper, Wyoming.  For additional information about the Panola College Rodeo call 903-693-2000.