Stetson Trujillo, center, with NMSU Head Rodeo Coach Brice Baggarly, left, Assistant coach Tate Harmon Courtesy photo
Abiquiu resident and Los Alamos High School senior, Stetson Trujillo, has signed a National
Letter of Intent to join the New Mexico State University rodeo team this fall. Family, friends, and coaches recently gathered to celebrate his achievement.
Stetson, 18, has competed in NMHSRA, 4-H, and NMRA rodeo, earning top finishes in steer wrestling, tie-down roping, and team roping, and qualifying for multiple state and national finals. He has also serves as an NMHSRA student director and mentors youth rodeo athletes.
He is the son of Cody and Ronda Trujillo.
Stetson plans to study Agricultural Business and Economics at NMSU.
“NMSU stood out as the best fit,” Stetson said. “I really liked NMSU when I visited, and the team members were super welcoming.”
Competing in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) will bring a new level of challenge, as schools of all sizes face off head-to-head throughout the season. Stetson welcomes that test and is eager to measure himself against some of the best collegiate athletes in the country. Trujillo’s rodeo roots run back generations. Grandfather Mick Trujillo of Abiquiu led the ENMU women’s rodeo team to two National NIRA titles in 1967 and 1968 as their head coach.
The NIRA was born in 1949 and the world of college rodeo began and would become one of the largest rodeo associations in the U.S. Since its commencement nearly 80 years ago, the NIRA has grown immensely. Now, with more than 100 sanctioned rodeos a year, 12 regions, over 3,500 contestants, and 137 universities and colleges, the NIRA is helping to build strong collegiate rodeo athletes across the country. NMSU Rodeo was Founded in 1942 as the New Mexico Aggie Rodeo Association. The team boasts over 30 national champions and 70 regional titles. Originally student-managed, the program shifted to a coached, elite team in 2002. NMSU Rodeo is part of the NIRA Grand Canyon region.
As Stetson prepares to graduate in May, he remains focused on finishing his senior rodeo season strong with 11 high school rodeos on the schedule and continue training for the transition to college rodeo. Come fall of 2026, he’ll trade the Toppers green and gold school colors for crimson and white, ready to represent NMSU in and out of the arena.