PRORODEO Sports News - January 10, 2025

XTREME BULLS FALLON, NEV.

Wells picks up big payday from a single ride Money Man

BY ALEX RILEY Special to ProRodeo Sports News A good start. An uncertain finish. A significant outcome. For bull rider Scott Wells, the final hours of the 2024 calendar year were a bit of a mixed bag that resulted in a big lift for his 2025 PRCA season. Wells only covered one ride at the Roughy Top Gun Invitational presented by the City of Fallon (Nev.) on New Year’s Eve, but it proved to be enough as he won the opening round and held off the field to claim the average title. Wells’ first-round score, an 83.5-point effort against Legacy Pro Rodeo’s Don Juan, was good enough to best Wade Tuni (81) and Scottie Knapp (80) for an early jump. During the final round, eight competitors, including Wells, climbed into the chutes, but no one was able to post a score. Wells suffered a groin pull in the first go that left him uncomfortable but as he watched the action unfold, he came to realize his opening performance might be enough to walk away with the title. “I was kind of going in thinking somebody would stay on another one. But it worked in my favor,” Wells said with a laugh. His first ride was a moment the Snyder, Texas, cowboy had been waiting on for quite some time. Back in June 2024 at the Strawberry Days Rodeo in Pleasant Grove, Utah, Wells drew Don Juan. That first meeting resulted in a buck off. The second time around, Wells wouldn’t be denied. “I just had to stop thinking and ride the bull,” Wells said. “Seeing him again, I was pretty happy about it.” The outcome gives the second year pro a lot of momentum heading into the new year. Wells amassed an impressive rookie season in 2024, securing more than $61,500 in prize money to take fifth in the Resistol Rookie of the Year Bull Rider standings and 40th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings. Since the start of the 2025 PRCA season, he has continued to find success, picking up a pair of round wins at the RAM Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo and a win at the Three Hills Rodeo FFA Edition back in October. The Top Gun Invitational victory put another $10,951 in his ledger, placing him squarely in the top 10 of the early world standings. While there’s still a long journey between now and the 2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge, Wells already has his focus set on Las Vegas next December. So far, he’s certainly on the right path. “Last year wasn’t too bad, it just didn’t quite end up how I wanted it to. But 2025 should be good, I’ll hopefully go to the NFR and things like that,” Wells said. “I’m focused, I’ve got some good goals and ready to hit the road.”

(Unofficial as of Jan. 9) 1. Jeter Lawrence, Council Hill, Okla........ .......$29,057 2. Dustin Donovan Boquet, Bourg, La........ .......25,829 3. T.J. Gray, Dairy, Ore.............................. .............................21,674 4. Cooper James, Erda, Utah..................... .....................17,256 5. Trey Benton III, Richards, Texas............ ............13,645 6. Jace Trosclair, Chauvin, La.................... ...................12,533 7. Fulton Rutland, Westville, Okla.............. .............12,207 8. Maverick Potter, Waxahachie, Texas....... .......10,781 9. Scott James Wells, Synder, Texas.......... ..........10,290 10. Jesse Petri, Dublin, Texas..................... ..................... 8,617 11. Luke Mackey, Ignacio, Colo.................. ................. 8,314 12. Wade Tuni, Rock Point, Ariz................. . ............... 7,707 13. Roscoe Jarboe, New Plymouth, Idaho...7,520 14. Jordan Wacey Spears, Redding, Calif....7,279 15. Trevor Reiste, Linden, Iowa.................. .................. 7,050 PRCA XTREME BULLS 2025 TOUR STANDINGS

TOP SCORES

TOP MONEY EARNER Scott Wells ($10,011, bull riding) BULL RIDING 1. Scott Wells ......................... 83.5 pts. 2. Wade Tuni ..................................... 81 3. Scottie Knapp ............................... 80

Complete results/Page 48

Scott Wells prepares to compete at the Division 1 Xtreme Bulls event in Fallon, Nev. Wells finished a career-best 40th in the world standings in 2023, earning $61,510.

Alexis Cady photos

Scott Wells had an 83.5-point ride on Legacy Pro Rodeo’s Don Juan to win the Roughy Top Gun Invitational presented by the City of Fallon (Nev.) on Dec. 31. The Queensland, Australia, cowboy earned $10,951.

ProRodeo Sports News 1/10/2025

ProRodeo Sports News 1/10/2025

ProRodeo.com

ProRodeo.com

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