ProRodeo Sports News 2022 Wrangler NFR Preview Issue

STEER WRESTLING Big Stage Stetson Jorgensen enters Wrangler NFR with eye on the gold buckle

BY BRADY RENCK Special to ProRodeo Sports News S tetson Jorgensen knew the numbers, and doubt surfaced. He found himself at the Lewiston (Idaho) Roundup in early September, a stop he was unsure about that led to zero money. Then, with the Cinch Playoffs at Washington State Fair Pro Rodeo looming, the math was working against him to finish as the season leader in steer wrestling. “I knew there wasn’t much more to go. I had some good runs but wasn’t sure I had enough. But I stayed positive,” Jorgensen said. “I knew it would be tough, but there was a light at the end of the tunnel.” It became a neon sign flashing good news after his performance at the Cinch Playoffs in Puyallup, Wash. Jorgensen, 29, won the finals with a 3.9-second time, adding to his third-place finish earlier of 4.2 seconds, earning the cowboy $14,800 and the No. 1 spot in the PRCA | RAM World Standings entering his fourthWrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge. “It felt good. I never look back. If I am third or fourth, I am not worried about who is behind me. Now, it is different that I am ahead of everyone,” said Jorgensen, who inched ahead of Tyler Waguespack in the standings. “But I am still not looking back. All of my focus is on what lies ahead: 10 days more in Las Vegas and keeping my spot.” Jorgensen put himself in this position by blending excellence with consistency. He produced several wins, including a rocket-fueled boost from the Dodge City (Kan.) Roundup, where Jorgensen clocked 12.4 seconds on three head, netting $7,238 in prize money. He won one rodeo with a time of 3.4 seconds and netted multiple firsts at 3.6 seconds. “It’s kind of settled in that this is my career. I don’t consider myself a veteran. I am learning every single day,” said Jorgensen, who embraces the “gypsy” life of full-time rodeo. “But it has sunk in.” What awaits next can become the best thing yet. Jorgensen looks forward to the NFR at Thomas &Mack Center in Las Vegas. “Nothing compares. That’s the place to be. When you go into that tunnel, you get ready to perform, and you see all the lights and the roar, it’s amazing,” Jorgensen said. “It raises the hair on the back of your neck. It raises hair you didn’t even know you had.” To become a champion, the separation is often in the preparation. Jorgensen cleared his head with well-earned time

2022 STEER WRESTLING STANDINGS 1. Stetson Jorgensen, Blackfoot, Idaho...... $134,661 2. Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, La.. ............ 123,873 3. J.D. Struxness, Milan, Minn..................... 123,649 4. Will Lummus, Byhalia, Miss..................... 119,781 5. Hunter Cure, Holliday, Texas. ................... 109,529 6. Ty Erickson, Helena, Mont........................ 107,784 7. Tristan Martin, Sulphur, La....................... 104,553 8. Dakota Eldridge, Elko, Nev.. ..................... 104,098 9. Kyle Irwin, Robertsdale, Ala....................... 98,354 10. Tanner Brunner, Ramona, Kan.. ................ 96,271 11. Jesse Brown, Baker City, Ore.................... 91,713 12. Rowdy Parrott, Mamou, La....................... 84,861 13. Dirk Tavenner, Rigby, Idaho. ..................... 84,532 14. Timmy Sparing, Helena, Mont................... 81,312 15. Nick Guy, Sparta, Wis.. ............................. 78,021 FROM THE CHAMP “I love the building in Vegas, the atmosphere, the kind of vibe you have whenever you are there. I feel like I do good when there is more pressure on me and

there’s really no place that has more pressure than Thomas & Mack

Waguespack

Center,” Waguespack said. “You come into that place carrying a couple of gold buckles and that’s a lot on you. It’s almost like you have a target on your back.” – Tyler Waguespack

Stetson Jorgensen

competes during the Ogden (Utah) Pioneer Days during the 2022 regular season. Jorgensen enters the Wrangler NFR first in the PRCA | RAM World Standings. Amanda Dilworth photo

QUOTABLE “It’s kind of settled in that this is my career. I don’t consider myself a veteran. I am learning every single day. But it has sunk in.” – Stetson Jorgensen

off, going on a fishing trip, attending a bachelor party before resuming practice and film study. “I have been watching the tape. My starts weren’t as sharp as they could have been,” Jorgensen said. “I have been working on getting Mable down on the wall.”

Mable is 12 years old. Her presence in Vegas breeds confidence for Jorgensen. “The last four years she has been my main mount 95 percent of the time, and the results speak for themselves,” Jorgensen said. “But you can’t look back. I need to do my part to make sure and put her in position to succeed.”

ProRodeo Sports News 11/18/2022

WRANGLER NATIONAL FINALS RODEO

DEC. 1-10, 2022

ProRodeo Sports News 11/18/2022

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