PRORODEO Sports News - October 4, 2024

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.

BY ALEX DODD & TANNER BARTH Ward/VonAhn push past loaded field

Team roping header Andrew Ward and team roping heeler Kollin VonAhn entered the Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup on the bubble. The duo needed a big weekend in Sioux Falls to make a late surge into the Top 15 of the PRCA | RAM World Standings. They did that and more, besting a stellar team roping field and cementing their spots in the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge. “That was the goal at the first of the year,” Ward said of qualifying for the NFR. “It’d have been nice if we weren’t in that spot (on the bubble). But when we were, it was great to finish like this.” Ward and VonAhn finished eighth in Round 1 and Round 2, tying for seventh in the average to advance to the semifinals. In the round of eight, they put together a 4.0-second run to finish second and reach the short round. They capped the weekend with a 3.9-second run to best Clint Summers and Jake Long by one-tenth of a second to win the top prize of $30,000 each. “It’s awesome. It’s what we wanted to do, but it’s a tall hill to climb,”

VonAhn said. The duo started roping together after Ward graduated from college, but they’ve competed with various partners over the past decade. Ward, 34, has been to three NFRs. VonAhn, 41, is a five-time NFR qualifier and won the world in 2009 and 2015. “He’s kind of who taught me to be really good at this,” Ward said. “He was a world champ, and when I went to his house, I was nobody. So, to get to go rope with him, a two-time world champ (at the NFR), I’ve always dreamed of it. And it’s going to be fun.” VonAhn said the season was a roller coaster but that they’re right where they want to be as the focus shifts toward Las Vegas. “The disappointing thing for me was even being in the position of being on the bubble,” VonAhn said. “That was a little disappointing, knowing our year should’ve been a little better in some places. But I don’t script it. This is the way it was meant to be. So, it’s been a heck of a ride.”

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Clay Guardipee Team roping heeler Kollin VonAhn throws his rope after partner Andrew Ward made the head catch. The duo picked up the victory with a 3.9-second effort in the finals.

ProRodeo Sports News 10/4/2024

ProRodeo.com

39