PRORODEO Sports News - November 22, 2024

TEAM ROPING HEELER First Time Lord heads to Vegas as No. 1 ranked heeler

QUOTABLE “We came off the NFR last year where we didn’t do very good. So, we were ready to get back at it when Odessa rolled around. We started off strong there and it felt like we never really had a down swing this season.” – Levi Lord

BY TANNER BARTH L evi Lord and partner Dustin Egusquiza didn’t have the National Finals Rodeo they were hoping for in 2023. They finished last season ninth in the PRCA | RAM World Standings after wrapping up the Finals 15th in the NFR Average race, pocketing $52,097 each inside the Thomas & Mack Center. They didn’t let that disappointment linger long. At the beginning of January, they jump started their 2024 campaign by winning the Sandhills Stock Show & Rodeo in Odessa, Texas, and followed that up with another victory at the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver. That set the stage for the best regular seasons of their careers. “It was just a good year from start to finish really,” said Lord, a four-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier. “We came off the NFR last year where we didn’t do very good. So, we were ready to get back at it when Odessa rolled around. We started off strong there and it felt like we never really had a down swing this season.” They parlayed that success into the second best team roping regular season in rodeo history. Lord has earned $201,008 so far this year. The total has him sitting No. 1 in the world headed into this year’s Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge. The duo set a goal this season to remain fast but find more consistency in their runs. “It was in our minds more this year to try and catch more steers at a consistent rate,” Lord said. “Every steer matters and we didn’t want to let any easy money slip through our fingers. We still did at times, but I think we did a much better job this year than we did last year at that, and it showed.” Lord knows just like every year the world championship race ultimately will come down to who ropes the best in Las Vegas. A lot of things have to come together to walk out of the Thomas & Mack with a gold buckle at the end of 10 nights. “Going into the NFR No. 1 doesn’t make too big of difference with how much money there is to be won in Vegas,” Lord said. “We have a $10,000 lead right now, you can make up the ground in one round real quick. Whoever does best out there is usually who ends up winning the world. So, you still have to go out there and have a good Finals. Then hope it works out in your favor.”

2024 TEAM ROPING HEELER STANDINGS

1. Levi Lord, Sturgis, S.D. ........................... $201,008 2. Wesley Thorp, Throckmorton, Texas ......... 191,738 3. Junior Nogueira, Pres. Prudente, Brazil .... 188,486 4. Jake Long, Coffeyville, Kan. ...................... 146,584 5. Logan Medlin, Tatum, N.M. ....................... 142,557 6. Douglas Rich, Herrick, Ill. ......................... 129,366 7. Kaden Profili, Jacksonville, Texas .............. 126,836 8. Kollin VonAhn, Blanchard, Okla. ................ 125,382 9. Tanner Braden, Dewey, Okla. ..................... 124,959 10. Coleby Payne, Stephenville, Texas ......... 122,197 11. Jonathan Torres, Ocala, Fla. ................... 117,705 12. Buddy Hawkins II, Stephenville, Texas ... 114,789 13. Travis Graves, Jay, Okla. ......................... 112,042 14. Hunter Koch, Vernon, Texas .................... 110,280 15. Paul Eaves, Lonedell, Mo. ....................... 108,912

FROM THE CHAMP

“We knew going into the Finals last year that we had the talent to win a world championship, but you never know how things are going to shake out in Las Vegas. We were blessed to win the world last year. It’s also one of those deals where

Thorp

Team roping heeler Levi Lord, paired with header Dustin Egusquiza, makes the catch in 4.5 seconds during the semifinals of the Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup on Sept. 28 in Sioux Falls, S.D. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Clay Guardipee

you can’t ride the high of gold buckle too long because the next day you’re starting the 2024 season. It seems like things have kind of went our way this year as well so far.” – Wesley Thorp

ProRodeo Sports News 11/22/2024

ProRodeo Sports News 11/22/2024

ProRodeo.com

ProRodeo.com

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