ProRodeo Sports News - April 17, 2020

born March 28, 1938, in Benton, Ark., to the late George and Geneva (Drennan) Smithers. George Ann was a retired rodeo stock contractor, timer and secretary for the PRCA, IPRA, Cowboys Regional Rodeo Association and the Arkansas Rodeo Association. She was also a former Saline County Rodeo Queen in 1955 and Miss Rodeo Arkansas in 1956. She attended First United Methodist Church in Paris. Neighbors was preceded in death by her husband, James Carl Neighbors; a brother, Howard Curtis Smithers; and a nephew, Brandon Brooke. She is survived by her brother, John “Being able to come here and work out has been keeping me busy, and my buddies in Weatherford have been taking the boat out and hanging out on the water, which has helped me stay sane,” said Sellars, 21. Cress, Sellars and fellow bull riders Brody Yeary and Chase Dougherty utilize Cress’ workout facility. The lack of rodeos worked in Sellars’ favor because he’s recovering from tearing his anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee Jan. 22 during the Division 1 SWELS - Xtreme Bulls at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. Sellars was injured during his 77.5-point ride on Big Rafter Rodeo’s Road Rage in the long round. “My knee is getting better,” Sellars said. “I’m going to rehab every day and my knee is getting better day-by-day. I’m hoping to be able to (get on bulls) in June.” Sellars made his Wrangler National Finals Rodeo debut in 2019, finishing 12th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $158,018. Sellars placed in two rounds in Las Vegas, highlighted by splitting third in Round 8 with a 91.5-point ride on Big Stone Rodeo Inc.’s Spotted Demon. He earned $28,827 at the Thomas & Mack Center. Mid-Plains C.C. hires assistant rodeo coach The Mid-Plains Community College rodeo team in North Platte, Neb., will have a new assistant coach beginning this summer. Aukai Kaai, a former bull rider for the team and a former PRCA permit holder, has been transitioning into the role for the past several months. He will officially take over the assistant title July 1, after the current rodeo season is over, and will work primarily with the team’s roughstock competitors. “It feels awesome to be able to give

Smithers; a sister, Janelle (William) Hutter; and stepson, Howard (Sheila) Neighbors; and grandson, Myles Neighbors. She also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews Amanda (Smithers) Brooke, Robert Smithers, Aliza Jones, Abby (Smithers) Carter, Allyn Smithers, Madeline (Smithers) Bratton, Sam Smithers; and great-nieces and great-nephews, Autumn, Lucas, Addi, Weston andWade. Celebration of life will be scheduled for a later date this summer. Interment will be at Fowler Cemetery at Paron, Ark., at an undetermined date. To pay an online tribute, please visit www. brothertonbrothersfuneralhomes.com back to the program that opened so many doors for me,” Kaai said in a press release. “After Mid-Plains, I transferred to a university. Altogether, I did five years of college and got all my school paid for because of rodeo. I’m looking forward to helping others succeed through rodeo as well.” Up to this point, the team has been led by Garrett Nokes, timed-event coach, and Dustin Elliott, roughstock coach. Kaai will take over much of Elliott’s responsibilities as Elliott steps back into more of a volunteer role. Nokes is excited to have Kaai come on board. “I’m sure looking forward to working with Aukai,” Nokes said. “Over the years, he was one of my favorite kids. We kept in contact some after he graduated, and when he moved back to Nebraska, I was hoping he could be involved with the team again. “I think this is good timing for everybody and a good opportunity for him. I’m really pumped about Aukai being part of the program.” Kaai is originally from Waimanalo, Hawaii. The four-time National High School Finals Rodeo qualifier and three-time state champion was recruited by Elliott in 2014. Kaai competed for MPCC from 2014-16 in bull riding and team roping. While at Mid-Plains, he finished fourth and fifth, respectively, in the Great Plains Region bull riding standings. Kaai went on to rodeo for Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo., where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Business. For all things rodeo, go to www.prorodeo.com

PASSAGES

GEORGE ANN (SMITHERS) NEIGHBORS George Ann (Smithers) Neighbors, who resided in Paris, Ark., passed away Wednesday, April 15. She was 82.

Neighbors

Neighbors was

BRIEFS PRCA postpones 2020 Sponsor Summit While everyone is dealing with these trying times personally and professionally, the PRCA is keeping everyone in its thoughts. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the PRCA is postponing its 2020 PRCA Sponsor Summit. “As we’ve all experienced, the COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected our communities around the world,” PRCA CEO George Taylor said. “The PRCA family is no different, and we are facing the same unprecedented challenges as are our friends, families and neighbors. “This involves all of us, and we will get through it together. Our primary concern is for the health and well-being of you and your families. “As such, priority one for us will be to conduct a joint NFR Planning and Sponsor Summit in coordination with ProRodeo Hall of Fame activities in August – but the PRCA will keep applicable parties informed in a timely manner as things develop. Sellars recovering from early season injury Bull rider Clayton Sellars has found an outlet to help him pass the time with rodeos on hold due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. Sellars is working out at a home gym at saddle bronc rider Brody Cress’ place in Stephenville, Texas.

PRCA NOTES to get rodeoing as soon as we get the ‘all clear.’ Our team is working to consider every alternative where we can do this safely with you.” One replacement opportunity would be

ProRodeo Sports News 4/17/2020

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