ALVA, Okla. – The Northwestern Oklahoma State athletic department has announced Cole "Willy" Ward of men's golf and Jenny Massing of women's rodeo as it's October Blue Sky Media Athletes of the Month.

Both Rangers have demonstrated the high-level of play necessary to position themselves among the region's best in their prospective sports. Ward and Massing both closed out their fall semesters in fine fashion and will now move their focus toward elevating their play during the spring semester.

Ward has been a mark of consistency throughout his Ranger career, and has taken his game to another level to open up his senior season. Ward began the month on Oct. 2-3 at the Henderson State Fall Classic, where he posted rounds of 75-78-75 to finish in a tie for 20^th place in the event. Ward followed that performance up with a 4^th place individual finish in the 2017 Ranger Invite on Oct. 30-31 after posting scores of 77-72.

Ward's month put the finishing touches on an impressive fall semester that saw him post his career low round of 69 and shoot above 80 just once in 10 rounds. The Kennedale, Texas native put together a 74.8 scoring average for the semester, placing him 48^th in the region.

Massing has been a force in the arena throughout the semester, and performed well enough at the final two events of the semester to put herself in the mix in the regional standings in multiple events. The Ponoka, Alberta native kicked off the month with a 3^rd place finish in the goat tying at the Oklahoma State Rodeo, recording a time of 15.3.

Just a few short weeks later, Massing defended her home arena at the Alva Fairgrounds in style, taking home the all-around cowgirl title after finishing in the top 10 in both the goat tying and breakaway roping events. Her performance at the Ranger Rodeo vaulted her into the top five in the region in both goat tying and barrel racing.  The Ranger cowgirl also sits in 14^th place in the breakaway roping after the conclusion of the fall semester.

Both Ranger athletes will have undergo their off-season preparation before getting back to their perspective sports in the spring semester with post-season aspirations in mind.