Rodeo dreams begin at NEO in Miami

Miami, Okla. — Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO) celebrates another remarkable achievement by one of its alumni, as Jake Long captured the 2025 NFR Team Roping World Championship in the heeler position alongside his partner, Andrew Ward.

Competing at the prestigious Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Long and Ward delivered an outstanding performance, posting a total time of 44 seconds on ten head to secure the world title in Team Roping.

A Kansas native and longtime standout in professional rodeo, Long’s journey to the top has been defined by perseverance, discipline, and passion for the sport. After competing with the NEO rodeo team and graduating from NEO in 2004, he continued both his academic and rodeo career at Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

Long is no stranger to the elite level of ProRodeo competition. He has now qualified for the National Finals Rodeo an impressive 15 times, building a reputation as one of the sport’s most consistent and intelligent heelers.

“It is very exciting to have a NEO Alumni Rodeo team member win a PRCA World Championship,” said NEO Rodeo Coach Kolby Ungeheuer. “We are genuinely proud of Jake’s great career he has had in the PRCA, and to win a World Title in the Heeling is a fantastic accomplishment that very few ever achieve. NEO Rodeo has had many great athletes over the years, and Jake Long is another outstanding Alumni Rodeo Athlete that we couldn’t be prouder of. He is the best of the best.”

This world championship performance highlights the strong foundation Long developed as a student-athlete at NEO. From riding in the Norsemen saddle to standing atop the world stage in professional rodeo, his journey reflects the opportunity and potential that Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College strives to provide every student.

NEO congratulates Jake Long, a distinguished alumnus and the 2025 NFR Team Roping World Champion and celebrates the legacy of Norsemen whose dreams truly do begin here