ProRodeo Sports News 2023 Year-End Edition

STEER WRESTLING AVERAGE WINNER

Don Payne made the most of his first career appearance at the Wrangler NFR by winning the average. That included his 4.3-second run, above, in Round 4. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Roseanna Sales

House of Payne

Don Payne claims first career NFR average crown

BY DAGIN RENCK Special to ProRodeo Sports News D on Payne’s relationship with faith remains unwavering. It has led him to places he could have never imagined. The long, bumpy path in his first trip to Las Vegas required more than one person in the box with him. “There’s a lot of pressure and stress (in steer wrestling),” said Payne. “I serve the Almighty God and he stands with me every time I nod my head.” Payne epitomizes the underdog story. The 29-year-old entered the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo 15th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings. He wore back number 119, the last number amongst NFR athletes. Winning a world title felt like a world away. To guide him through his NFR debut, Payne leaned on the person that got him here as went on an improbable run to claim the NFR average title. “It all just leads back to having an Almighty God,” said the cowboy. “I put all my stress on him.” Nerves calmed; his focus narrowed. The Texas native rode fellow steer wrestler Trever Nelson’s horse, Dr Pepper. Alongside him, Payne’s brother Grady helped haze while on their own horse, Dillon. It was the stability that he was looking for on the biggest stage. “(Dr Pepper) has made it so easy for me and I’ve got my brother on the hazing side on our horse Dillon,” said Payne. “He did a great job all week and I

couldn’t ask for a better hazer over there.” With the pieces aligned, Payne seized his opportunity and put on a show. The steer wrestler started fast with three trips to the pay window in the first four rounds, including a pair of 4.3-second runs. Despite failing to collect a check in the next two rounds, Payne stayed consistent with his mindset

and approach. The Texas native rebounded in Round 7, notching a fifth-place finish. The strong run slid Payne into a tie with Dakota Eldridge for the average with three rounds remaining. His dreams would soon become a reality. Over the final three nights, the cowboy nabbed two more checks including a 4.2-second run in Round 10 to clinch the NFR average title. In his special moment, Payne couldn’t help but reminisce on the tough path that led him to this moment. “I’ve been trying for a little while,” Payne said. “I’ve battled through plenty of injuries, horsepower, and we’ve finally got it put together.” Payne finished the week atop the leaderboard with 44.9 seconds on 10 head. The $133,569 in NFR earnings, including the $78,747 aggregate prize catapulted him to sixth in the world standings, opening opportunities for the 2024 season. For now, Payne will continue to lean on those around him for support. “There’s been a lot of people that have given me advice,” said Payne. “I take a little bit from everybody, and I have a whole team praying for me.”

ProRodeo Sports News 12/22/2023

ProRodeo.com

38