(DCC Athletics release)
GLENDIVE – Two-sport athlete Arena Plenty of Hardin High School has signed a national letter of intent to participate in rodeo and women’s basketball at Dawson Community College.
“Dawson is giving me the opportunity to compete in not one, but two sports,” said Plenty. “I am thrilled to be a part of two amazing teams, under two great coaches at Dawson. Go Bucs!”
Plenty’s events in rodeo include team roping and breakaway roping. She is part of the Montana High School Rodeo Association (MHSRA), Northern Plains Indian Rodeo Association and the Wrangler Team Roping Championships. She was the 2018 MHSRA Finals Short-Go Breakaway Roping Champion, 2018 Northern Arapaho INFR Tour Rodeo Breakaway Roping Champion, 4-time MHSRA year-end top 10 Breakaway Roper and 4-time Indian National Finals Rodeo qualifier.
“I am thrilled to have Arena join our team,” said head rodeo coach Kortney Diegel. “I have had the pleasure of watching her rope and play ball over the last 4 years, always hoping we’d be able to get her here at DCC, where her dad Len’s alma mater is. Not only is Arena a great competitor, but she is also a strong student and upstanding individual. With Arena’s ability, determination, and strong mental edge, I believe she will have great success roping at the collegiate level in the NIRA’s Big Sky Region. I am also excited to watch and cheer her on as she plays basketball with the DCC’s women’s buccaneer team.”
Plenty was also part of a Hardin girls basketball team that has seen lots of success. She played for head coach Cindy Farmer who has led her team in two seasons with an overall 40-7 record. Hardin won the super divisional in 2016-2017 and took second in 2017-2018. The Lady Bulldogs also placed second at the Class A State Tournament in 2017 and 2018.
“Arena comes from a successful program from Hardin,” said DCC women’s basketball coach Romeo Lagmay, Jr. “Arena is a tough nosed athlete who plays an undersized post position. From the looks of her accomplishments and participation in rodeo, it’s evident she displays where she gets her ruggedness. That physicality will be used nicely in our program. Let’s just say we’re glad she’s on our team (laughing).”
Plenty has also participated in volleyball from 2014-2017. Her academics include being on the honor roll and graduating with honors from Hardin. She is from Lodge Grass and is the daughter of Len, who also is a DCC Rodeo alum, and Paula Plenty.
