Communities in McNairy County, Tennessee are continuing to pick up the pieces after a tornado ripped through the area on March 31, leaving at least nine people dead.
The two were unmasked at the annual Passing of the Guns ceremony at the McKenzie-Merket Alumni Center.
“It was such a joy working with Triston and Jacey during their year as Raider Red,” said Bruce Bills, head cheer and mascot coach. “They always brought high energy, creativity and passion for Texas Tech that showed at each of their appearances and game performances.”
Ross, a mechanical engineering major who will graduate with her master’s degree in May, and Colquett, a kinesiology major who graduated in August, and their assistants attended more than 100 on- and off-campus events, despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
On Friday, April 23, Texas Tech announced the 60th Masked Rider, and two former Raider Reds passed their guns to a new mascot at the Transfer of Reins and Passing of the Guns ceremony.
Ashley Adams, an animal science graduate student, was announced as the 60th Masked Rider at the ceremony. She has served as both an assistant and a volunteer for the Masked Rider program.
âI am so incredibly honored and humbled to serve as the 60th Masked Rider with Fearless Champion,â Adams said.
Stacy Stockard, the 43rd Masked Rider, said the Transfer of Reins is also a time to reflect on the current Masked Riderâs time in the program.
Outgoing Masked Rider reflects after taking on role during challenging times
Reins passed to new Masked Rider By KCBD Staff | April 23, 2021 at 10:54 PM CDT - Updated April 23 at 10:55 PM
LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - Only five dozen people have donned the cape, hat, and mask to represent Texas Tech as the iconic Masked Rider. Cameron Hekkert, a native of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, is the only one to do so during a global pandemic. This was all unknown thirteen months ago, when the audition process faced an unexpected hiatus.
âTryouts started in February of 2020, and then mid-March was when we were supposed to go through the second phase of tryouts. That was when everything was put on hold, and then the middle of August was when it was officially, publicly announced,â Hekkert said.