Former Blair High School graduate and now WOSC sophomore, Brandt O’Connor, is a member of the rodeo team while majoring in Liberal Arts.
As a member of the rodeo team, O’Connor said winning is always at the top of the list of things he enjoys most about being on the team.
“Winning is at the top of the list. I love competition, traveling to new places and the friendships that are created across the country. The thing I enjoy most about rodeo are the horses; learning about their bloodlines and training them,” said O’Connor.
Being in and around the rodeo is nothing new to O’Connor. Having grown up around livestock, it’s a natural place for O’Connor and something he loves doing.
“I’ve been involved in rodeo my entire life either watching my dad compete or competing myself,” O’Connor said. “I compete in team roping. I started entering ropings when I was 10 or 11. I entered my first rodeo when I was 13.”
Making the move from high school to college can be a difficult one, but for O’Connor the transition was easily made thanks the great professors at WOSC.
“The biggest challenge was managing my time and making sure everything got completed and turned in,” O’Connor said. “I have had really good instructors. They set expectations but they also allow for some flexibility if it’s really needed. Everyone at WOSC have been very helpful and friendly. I was never intimated to ask a question or stop by an instructor’s office if I needed to.”
Around campus, O’Connor said he enjoys the people and the small town feel.
“I’ve always liked WOSC. They promote the students and programs on social media a lot. The campus is like a small-town community, everyone is really friendly and helpful, and they allow for 100% virtual which opens up opportunities for students to work and in my case, rodeo,” said O’Connor.
His advice to incoming students next fall?
“Meet new people. Get involved and attend events. Don’t take a heavy load the first semester to give yourself time to figure out how to manage your time,” said O’Connor.
Before we let O’Connor get back to the arena, we had to know what is the best rodeo movie of all-time? O’Connor’s answer was no surprise.
“8 Seconds.”
