ALVA, Okla. – As youngsters, Jaden Trimble and Brandon Hittle grew up three hours apart but became close friends despite the miles.

“We’ve been best friends since the seventh grade,” said Trimble, a sophomore from Coffeyville, Kansas.

They chose the same college, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, and compete on the rodeo team. They just started roping together a few months ago, and it’s already paying off. The two Kansas cowboys won the Oklahoma Panhandle State University’s Doc Gardner Memorial Rodeo this past weekend in Guymon, Oklahoma, earning their first victory of the season.

In add...