PRORODEO Sports News - November 22, 2024

LOUISVILLE, KY.

RAM GREAT LAKES CIRCUIT FINALS

No Coincidence

Lee wins third RAM Great Lakes Circuit Finals title BY DAGIN RENCK, Special to ProRodeo Sports News O nce is a coincidence. Twice is nice. Three times is a pattern. For Roy Lee, the second weekend in November is branded on his calendar. It marks the annual RAM Great Lakes Circuit Finals, a place he had claimed two titles (2019, 2022). The rodeo holds a special place in his heart. “There’s nothing like Louisville,” said Lee. “It’s sad that the Great Lakes Circuit Finals can be overlooked sometimes because they haven’t been to that place in November. There’s 14,000 people on Saturday night. That rodeo is so fun, the people want you to be there, and there’s prize money to be had.” The tie-down roper’s pursuit for a third circuit finals title began at the entrance of Freedom Hall. A familiar environment with past success served as a reminder to stay the course. “Don’t do anything you haven’t done before, just keep being yourself,” Lee explained. “I act more like a bronc rider than anything. Stay loose and cool the whole time.” However, it’s easier said than done. The first-round jitters put Lee behind the eight ball, finishing fifth with a 9.7-second run. He vowed to make a change. “I don’t like making mistakes,” he said. “And that’s just what I told myself, ‘Well you can’t make that mistake twice.’ I came back the next round with a great calf and once I got it around the neck, I knew I was going to place in the round.” Indeed, he did. Lee nabbed a go-round win and $2,931 with an 8.6-second run to put himself back in the hunt. With another title on the line, the Missouri native remained humble. He understood that nothing is given. “You can’t back down. You have to keep going,” he said. “The most important run is your next one. Just because I was leading in the average after two rounds didn’t mean I had won.” The cowboy took what was his. Lee posted an 8.3-second run, winning the round and his third title. As a competitor, there was too much at stake not to put his best foot forward. “I like money, and I was going to go for it,” said the NFR Open qualifier. “Once I had it around the neck, I knew I could win the round. I tried not to make any mistakes, and it turns out I was faster that night than I was the night before.” Lee finished the weekend atop the leaderboard at 26.6 seconds on three head, collecting $10,258. He plans to continue riding through the winter as he aims to take advantage of his opportunities. In the meantime, the hefty payday is a jumpstart on his 2025 aspirations. “My goal is to have $40,000 won by May,” said Lee. “I know I have some work to do but with $10,000 in my pocket, I’m off to a great start.”

TOP MONEY EARNER TOP SCORES

Tanner Scheevel ($11, 724, steer wrestling) BAREBACK RIDING

Scheevel

1. Nick Pelke .................... 256 pts. on 3 2. Tanner Aus .................................. 254 3. Briar Dittmer ............................... 237 STEER WRESTLING 1. Tanner Scheevel ......... 14.2 sec. on 3 2. Austin Madison .......................... 18.6 3. Reed Kraeger ............................. 18.8 TEAM ROPING 1. L. Allen/T. Vaught ....... 19.1 sec. on 3 2. C. Smith/R. Boos ....................... 19.7 3. W. Clark/D. Crawford ................. 28.4 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Jett Williams ................ 225 pts. on 3 2. Byron Gilliland ............................ 209 3. Trey Watts ........................... 162 on 2 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Roy Lee ..................... 26.6 sec. on 3 2. Cody Huber ................................ 40.5 3. Coltin Rauch .............................. 40.9 BARREL RACING 1. Katie Chism ............. 44.58 sec. on 3 2. Austyn Tobey ........................... 44.87 3. Emma Ricke ............................. 44.99 BULL RIDING 1. Kolt Achenbach ............ 158 pts. on 2 2. Ethan Skogquist .......................... 154 3. Cody McElroy ............................... 85

Complete results/Page 88

Phillip Kitts photo

Tie-down roper Roy Lee won Round 2 of the RAM Great Lakes Circuit Finals Rodeo with an 8.6-second run, Nov. 15.

ProRodeo Sports News 11/22/2024

ProRodeo Sports News 11/22/2024

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