ProRodeo Sports News - April 3, 2020

TEAM ROPING PARTNERS

Changing Away Petska, Driggers join forces; Nogueira to decide on new partner PRCA ProRodeo file photo Team roping heeler Junior Nogueira, seen here competing during Round 10 of the 2018 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, finished second in the heeling world standings from 2016-19 while roping with header Kaleb Driggers.

“We’ve been roping second partner at the jackpots for three years now,” Petska said. Petska has been to four rodeos this season while roping with Derrick Begay. Petska is a 15-time Wrangler NFR qualifier (2003-11, 2013-18), highlighted by winning that 2017 gold buckle with team roping header Erich Rogers. Petska and Rogers roped together in 2013-17. In 2018, Petska roped with Begay, finishing fourth in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings. Petska is going to ride Chumley, 16, and a mare, Annie, 14, for the rest of the season. Petska won the world title riding Chumley. Driggers finished third in the team roping header world standings last season. He finished second in the world standings three consecutive seasons (2016-18) while roping with Nogueira. In 2016, Driggers helped Nogueira win the all-around gold buckle. Nogueira became the first Brazilian world champion in PRCA history with the all-around title, earning $231,728. He finished second in heeling that season with $230,284. Nogueira placed second in the team roping heeler world standings four years in a row (2016-19). “I don’t know yet who I’m going (to rope) with,” said Nogueira, who has qualified for the last six Wrangler NFRs. “I have to make a decision pretty soon.”

BY TRACY RENCK T eam roping heeler Cory Petska, the 2017 PRCA world champion, is joining forces with a new partner. Petska confirmed he will team with header Kaleb Driggers for the remainder of the season. Since 2016, Driggers had roped with heeler Junior Nogueira. Driggers and Nogueira are 23rd and 26th in their respective events in the 2020 PRCA | RAMWorld Standings with $9,796 each. “I’m looking forward to it (roping with Driggers),” Petska said. “To get an opportunity like that doesn’t come around very often, so I’m very excited. We’re hoping to start roping together in Reno (Nev., June 19-27).” Petska is no stranger to roping with Driggers.

ProRodeo Sports News 4/3/2020

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