(Cheyenne, WY)  Morgan Darnell is a member of the Golden Eagle Rodeo Team. She competes in Breakaway Roping and Team Roping. Darnell won the Breakaway Roping title at the Gillette College rodeo her freshman year. The Gordon, Nebraska native is in the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program at LCCC. She is one of the Rodeo team representatives on the Student Athlete Advisory Council. "Morgan is a very dedicated student athlete," stated LCCC Rodeo Coach Seth Glause. "She works very hard to be excellent in the classroom and the arena. She as been faced with a lot of adversity and met it head on." 

Darnell, will be returning to compete for a third year as she completes the PTA program. Many Golden Eagle fans may not know that Rodeo student athletes can compete up to four years at LCCC. Darnell chose LCCC because of the outstanding facilities and the amazing support and following that the Rodeo team has. Darnell is not only impressive in the Rodeo arena but as Dr. Jenna Kibbon, PTA Clinical Coordinator and Instructor, shared Darnell is a very organized and proactive learner. She pays close attention to details. Kibbon added "given everything that she (Darnell) has to overcome to continue to work towards her goals within the Rodeo arena and in the classroom, it is clear that she is a very strong and determined individual." 

After completing the PTA program, Darnell wants to complete her Physical Therapist degree.  PTA Program Director Dr. Sarah Hughes added "Morgan is very motivated throughout the different school, rodeo, and life activities and is able to balance them all." Darnell got interested in physical therapy bacause of persona expeeriences. Beginning in her middle school years, Darnell has had numerous orthopedic surgeries.  Darnell says she really "enjoys her classmates that are in the program along with the second year students that were very helpful when it came to learning new skills and how to be successful in the program."

"She demonstrates great interpersonal skills which is essential in physical therapy practice," Dr. Hughes added. "She is an exceptional student athlete!" Darnell has a 3.73 GPA and was recognized as a Golden Eagle Scholar Athlete in February 2020.