ProRodeo Sports News - April 29, 2022

Cooper Martin picks up key Red Bluff win Back on Track BY TANNER BARTH C ooper Martin has battled the injury bug since his last trip to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in 2019. This season, he feels like he’s finally Rhen Richard ($11,434, tie down roping and team roping) BAREBACK RIDING TOP SCORES Richard RED BLUFF ROUND-UP RED BLUFF, CALIF. TOP MONEY WINNER

healthy and his performance in the arena is reaping the benefits. Martin picked up his first win of the year at the Red Bluff (Calif.) Round-Up, finishing with 41.7 second time to win the four-head average. He knew a great opportunity was there for the taking if he could make a clean run. The Alma, Kan., tie down roper delivered that and then some. He stopped the clock in 9.8 seconds to secure the title and add $8,601 to his name. “I had stronger calves in the second and third rounds and I knew I had drawn a pretty good one for the short go,” said Martin, 24. “I just thought if I went and made my run the average would take care of itself. “I wasn’t too worried about moving up any, but you know how short go rounds are. It’s good to just go and capitalize and have it all work out.” Martin’s comeback story this season hasn’t come without bumps along the way. He said there were hurdles to overcome not only inside the arena, but outside of it as well to get to where he wants to be. “Last year after my injury (tearing two ligaments in his right wrist) I had mainly just been rehabbing and becoming an athlete again, which isn’t as easy as it sounds,” he said. “The gym has definitely made a big difference. “When I first came back, I might’ve been making some good runs, but I was four or five seconds off the pace. So, building back up my strength and confidence and mobility has definitely been a challenge for me.” Martin will be looking to make his fourth trip to the Finals in 2022. As of April 23, he is sitting 15th in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings with $29,316. He said while this does give him confidence heading forward, he knows it’s a long season. “Confidence is the main thing for me right now,” Martin said. “Just getting that confidence and finding a way to maintain it throughout the year and just keep clicking along.” Qualifying for the Finals is only part of the goal, he has his sights set on accomplishing a much bigger goal. “The goal is obviously to get to the Finals, but I think you miss out on the bigger goals if you focus on that,” he said. “The ultimate goal is to win a world championship and that’s what I’m shooting for. I’m excited, it’s going to be a great year.”

1. Bodee Lammers ................... .. 88 pts. 2. Tilden Hooper ............................... 87 3. Wyatt Denny .............................. 86.5 STEER WRESTLING 1. Dalton Massey ............ 19.8 sec. on 4 2. Bridger Chambers ...................... 21.1 3. Levi Rudd .................................. 22.3 TEAM ROPING 1. C. Kidd V/L. Mitchell ... 31.7 sec. on 4 2. R. Richard/J. Buhler . ................. 32.2 3. J. Cooper/S. Sporer ................... 32.4 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Wyatt Casper ......................... 88 pts. 2. CoBurn Bradshaw ...................... 87.5 3. Three tied at .................................. 85 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Cooper Martin ............. 41.7 sec. on 4 2. Reese Riemer . ........................... 43.2 3. Zack Jongbloed . ........................ 43.4 BARREL RACING 1. Stevi Hillman . ........... 34.42 sec. on 2 2. Nellie Miller .............................. 34.71 3. Paige Jones ............................. 34.77 BULL RIDING 1. J.R. Stratford ......................... 90 pts. 2. Three tied at .................................. 87

Complete results/Page 57

Phil Doyle photo

Tie-down roper Cooper Martin won the average at the Red Bluff (Calif.) Round-Up, earning $8,601.

ProRodeo Sports News 4/29/2022

ProRodeo Sports News 4/29/2022

ProRodeo.com

ProRodeo.com

38

39