ProRodeo Sports News - August 10, 2018

CHEYENNE FRONTIER DAYS

Levi Rudd nailed the

biggest win of his career just in time. Before winning in Cheyenne, he was down to his last $4. Jackie Jensen photo

BY MATT NABER C ompeting in rodeo can be expensive. Getting down the road often depends on the gamble of winning prize money. A cowboy’s season can get cut Rudd didn’t place in Salinas, but he took third at the Spanish Fork Fiesta Days Rodeo and won $1,849. Instead of going home, he went on to Cheyenne where he won $21,396. Rudd had $4 to his name before winning Cheyenne Nothing or Double

“This is the biggest win I ever had, this is the pinnacle,” Rudd said. “To be here and make it happen is surreal. I knew I could make the short round, and you dream about winning it, but to get it done is crazy.” The 26-year-old cowboy joined the PRCA in May 2014 and ended his rookie year 402nd in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings with $523. The following year, he entered 33 rodeos and ranked 214th with $4,341. He continued to climb the ranks and was 167th with $5,938 in 2016. Last year was his best to date, ranking 53rd with $23,087 by competing

short without the money needed for traveling expenses. Steer wrestler Levi Rudd was on the verge of going home empty-handed when he arrived at Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days. “When we were at Spanish Fork (Utah), I had to pay fees for (California Rodeo) Salinas, and I told Jeff (Green) I needed to win because I had $4 in my account,” Rudd said. “I backed in the box in Spanish Fork and had no idea what I would do.”

TOPS AT CHEYENNE — July 21-29 BAREBACK RIDING

STEER WRESTLING 1. Levi Rudd ............... 24.0 sec. on three 2. Nick Guy ....................................... 25.1 3. Dru Melvin .................................... 27.0 4. Curtis Cassidy .............................. 27.1

TEAM ROPING 1. Masters/Harrison .... 26.4 sec. on three 2. K. Driggers/J. Nogueira ................ 28.1 3. D. Egusquiza/K. Koontz ................ 28.5 4. T. Harris/R. Carson ....................... 29.2

SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Brody Cress ........... 252.5 pts. on three 2. (tie) Isaac Diaz ............................... 250 Wyatt Casper ................................. 250 4. Cort Scheer ................................... 247

1. Will Lowe ............... 253.5 pts. on three 2. Lane McGehee ............................... 252 3. Shane O’Connell ......................... 251.5 4. Two tied at ..................................... 250

ProRodeo Sports News 8/10/2018

ProRodeo.com

42