ProRodeo Sports News - April 5, 2019

GRILLE COWBOY

KAL FULLER, a 19-year-old from Bozeman, Mont., is having a strong rookie season. As of April 1, he was first in the PRCA | Resistol Rookie Standings as a team roping header with $14,138. Fuller, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 200 pounds, rodeoed on his PRCA permit last year and bought his PRCA card in November. His family has always been involved with rodeo, and he wants to make a career out of the sport.

WITH TRACY RENCK PSN

How did you get involved with rodeo? Kal: My dad (Mike) had me pick up a rope when I was like 2 years old, and I just learned from there. Rodeo is something I have always done. What has this season been like for you?

Kal: This year has been good for me, and it has been way different than last year. I did all right on my permit last year (winning $12,559). Last year, I was just trying to get my feet wet. Now, I have my card, and it’s different because you are trying to make the Finals (Wrangler National Finals Rodeo). I learned a lot last year while I was on my permit, like trying to figure how to enter and everything that goes with rodeo. What’s your favorite event: team roping heading or tie-down roping? Kal: I’m not much of a (tie-down roper). I enjoy being a header because I’m the quarterback and I like to go fast. Who have been your team roping partners this season? Kal: I roped with Travis Woodard at the winter rodeos, and now I’m going to rope with Kasper Roy for the rest of the year. Travis (who qualified for the 2015 Wrangler NFR) knows a lot, and he’s a good guy to get in with as your first partner. Being around Walt (Woodard, the 1981 and 2007 PRCA World Champion Team Roping Heeler and Travis’ father) I also learned a lot.” What has it been like dealing with bone spurs in your hips? Kal: It still affects me today. I had hip surgeries in 2014 and 2015 on both hips. It is something they can’t fix. I have bone spurs, cartilage damage and labrum tears. It is hereditary. I tied a lot of calves when I was younger, and it just got worse and worse. I got it looked at and had my first surgery, and then three months later my hips started hurting again, and I had the second surgery (in 2015). Then, three months later, I was back in pain. I’ve been able to deal with the injury because I quit (tie-down roping). What horse are you riding this season? Kal: I have Marshall. He’s 13, and I’ve had him for two years. He’s the best horse I’ve ever ridden. He runs hard, he scores good and finishes really strong. What was it like making your debut at the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo (March 21-24) in Kissimmee, Fla.? Kal: I was roping with Kory Mytty there, and we didn’t do as well as we would have liked. I did have a blast in Florida. We went to the gator farm, and we went to Cocoa Beach for a couple of days. It was a lot of fun. I want to go back to the RAM NCFR next year and win it. Do you have any brothers or sisters? Kal: Yes. I have one brother, Trace, 17, and two sisters, Mikayla, 20, and Melissa, 16. They all rodeo. Mikayla competes for Central Arizona College’s rodeo team. What’s your favorite restaurant? Kal: Texas Roadhouse. I get a steak and sweet tea. What’s your favorite candy or dessert? Kal: Cookie dough ice cream. What’s your favorite movie? Kal: I probably have a couple of go-to movies. The Cowboy Way (1994, with Woody Harrelson and Marg Helgenberger) and The Benchwarmers (2006, with Rob Schneider). Who is your favorite sports team? Kal: The Houston Astros. Who are your favorite musical artists? Kal: George Strait and Parker McCollum. If you got to choose a walk-up song before you competed what would it be? Kal: Dire Straits’ “Money for Nothing.” Do you have any hobbies outside of rodeo? Kal: Yes. I love fishing. I fish for bass, trout, anything.

What’s the coolest PRCA rodeo you have competed in so far? Kal: The Pendleton (Ore.) Round-Up. I got to go there last year. I had never rodeoed on the grass before. It was a cool experience. I loved it.

KAL FULLER

What would your life be like without a cellphone? Kal: Probably better. I could throw my phone away, and it would not change my day.

ProRodeo Sports News 4/5/2019

ProRodeo.com

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