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Thursday, April 19, 2007

Feeding the Wild Life

By Harold Smith
Mountain View Telegraph
    Born to be wild. "Bull riding and pole-vaulting has helped me," said Dominic Coché, a 5-foot-8, 150-pound cowboy from Chilili, between events at Moriarty's Heritage Arena on Sunday. "When I get frustrated, I just go ride bulls or do the pole vault."
    Coché, a senior at Estancia High, has had a tendency to live life on the edge. But he's learning to channel that energy.
    "It's the rush (with vaulting and riding bulls)," he said. "They both need good form, but you can't go at either of them weak."
    Though Coché didn't cut the mustard— finishing out of the standings and the money— at the Moriarty and Estancia High School Rodeo last weekend, he has had success in the past. He earned the state Ultimate Bull Riding open title at the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Posse Arena in Albuquerque's North Valley back in October.
    Coché also won state UBR crowns in the novice division in 2005 and 2006.
    "Bull riding has opened doors for me," Coché said. "My name's got around. Now, I know I have the ability to do well."
    The 18-year-old just needs to keep his eyes on the ball.
    "Dominic is a very good kid," said Don Martinez, the adult leader of the Moriarty and Estancia High Rodeo Club. "He's at the point now where he wants to act independently. He does track for Estancia High, too.
    "The only thing with Dominic is he's got a wild side. But he's got a supportive mom and stepdad and brother. He's very respectful."
    A career after graduation with the Professional Bull Riders could be in the cards.
    "There are some kids who are out here to ride bulls just for the glory," Martinez said. "But Dominic has some real talent. He'll make it in the PBR if he can get past those obstacles, which I think he will."
    Then there's Coché's foray into track and field. His pole vault personal record is 10 feet, 61/2 inches, but the state qualifying mark is 11.
    "I almost had it, but it kept hitting my leg," Coché said. "But now that I have a new pole, I think I can do it. My old pole would bend, but it wouldn't shoot me. I didn't have any spring. I'll do better."
    Bears coach Grey Nevelos believes Coché will do it during the Bean Valley Conference meet at EHS on Saturday.
    "I think a little bit of (Coché's recklessness) comes with the territory," Nevelos said. "You don't see too many mild-mannered kids riding bulls. He did come close to getting into big trouble, but he made the right decision.
    "I've heard it said that every kid is one decision away from needing close supervision. But I think academic, athletic and bull riding goals help make kids think about making the right decision."
    Coché lives with his mother and stepfather, Vicky and Juan Lucero. His father, Alex Coché, lives in Albuquerque.
    Chris Coché, his 22-year-old brother, helped out during the rodeo.
    "Dominic is a great kid," Chris said. "He's got a good heart. And he's come back to do better in school."
    MORE RODEO
    Jordan Muncy, who recently moved from Cedarvale in south-central Torrance County to Corona, won the all-around cowgirl title at the high school rodeo in Moriarty. Hillsboro's Rankin Lindsey was the top cowboy.
    "It's been going good this year," said Muncy, also an all-District 7-1A basketball player for Corona who will attend Oklahoma Panhandle State University on a rodeo scholarship in the fall. "It didn't go so well (Saturday), but (Sunday) was much better."
    The host riders were Natalie Burke, Derrick Fincher, Sky Chavez, Tiffany Chavez, Cody Harrison and club President John Chavez.
    Tiffany Chavez took third in Saturday's pole bending event. Harrison was sixth in bull riding on Saturday.
    Brothers Marcus and Gralyn Elkins of Estancia won Saturday's team-roping session. On Friday at Rockin' Horse Ranch, Gralyn placed second in boys cutting during the first-go, and Marcus was the runner-up in the second-go.