ProRodeo Sports News - April 16, 2021

COWBOY GRILLE WITH TRACY RENCK

How did you get involved with rodeo? Nathan: My grandpa Corky was a bareback rider, and my dad, Craig, and my uncle Glenn rode bulls. When I was 13, my dad asked me if I wanted to get on a steer at a local rodeo in Guthrie, Okla. I didn’t have gear and I used my dad’s old grass rope. They loaded in junior bulls, and they were huge. I was terrified. I hit the ground directly after they opened the gate. I thought that wasn’t bad. I went that whole year and didn’t ride a single steer. I came back the next year, didn’t buck off a single steer and won the little association. I was hooked. Where did you go to college? Nathan: I went to Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford. I college rodeoed there for four years. I qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo three times – in 2016, 2017 and 2019. That was an awesome experience. What did you get your degree in? Nathan: I got my major in business management and a minor in real estate. I graduated in 2019. What path did you take after college graduation? Nathan: I took a full-time job as a field project manager for Jordy Construction out of Denver doing construction for restaurants and banks. I was the superintendent for them for a year and I moved up to Castle Rock (Colo). I was rodeoing right after college for about six months while I was looking for jobs. I found Jordy and they’ve been great. What did your rodeo schedule look like this season? Nathan: I started rodeoing more in February. I worked all the way through the pandemic, and once rodeos started picking up after the (RAM Mountain States Circuit Finals Rodeo) in October I started thinking about rodeoing Bull rider Nathan Hatchel was on his PRCA permit for four years while rodeoing in college. The 23-year-old Oklahoma native is having a breakout season, including a strong performance at the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo. If Hatchel can overcome injuries, he’s hoping he can qualify for his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo this season. As of April 13, he was seventh in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $28,001.

NATHAN HATCHEL

more. Come January, I saw more rodeos happening, so I decided to go full time. I put in my two weeks with Jordy Construction and had dinner with the president of the company. He said he didn’t want me to put in my two weeks. He said I could sign a leave of absence and go rodeo. He said keep in touch, go to meetings when I can and when I get done rodeoing, I had a job with the company. That made me feel great. I have something to fall back on. What has this rodeo season been like for you? Nathan: It’s been great. I won the (RAM) Mountain States Circuit Finals Rodeo, made it to San Antonio’s finals and placed at a bunch of rodeos. What was it like earning $11,629 at the RAM NCFR? Nathan: There wasn’t a better feeling than winning money at the RAM Finals. I just wish I felt better because of my injuries. What injuries are you dealing with?

Nathan: They said I tore my left groin completely and tore the Triangular FibroCartilage Complex, or TFCC, in my right wrist. I’m just going to take some time off and try and get healed up. The goal is to make the National Finals Rodeo. (He opted out of the RAM NCFR semifinals April 10 with his injuries.) What has been the biggest difference for you? Nathan: Just the mindset of it all. I have more time to devote to rodeoing. Are you married? Nathan: Yes. My wife, Kodi, and I have been married for a year and a half. What do you binge watch? Nathan: I watch “Bloodline,” a crime show, and I’ll watch building home shows. What was the last music concert you went to? Nathan: Garth Brooks in Tulsa, Okla., in 2016. That was a cool show. What is your favorite restaurant? Nathan: Subway. I will tear up Subway. I get the Italian sub with pepper jack cheese. I will take that over anything. What was your favorite cartoon?

Nathan: “Tom and Jerry.” They are about to come out with a Tom and Jerry movie. We were all talking on the plane that we have to see that movie when it comes out. What was your favorite Halloween costume?

Nathan: I was Spiderman one year, and I thought that was the cat’s meow.

ProRodeo Sports News 4/16/2021

ProRodeo.com

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