ProRodeo Sports News - August 18, 2023

DODGE CITY ROUNDUP

DODGE CITY, KAN.

History Repeats Cole Franks dances with Gun Fire for win TOP SCORES TOP MONEY

BY BRADY RENCK, Special to ProRodeo Sports News C ole Franks boasts the type of resume that widens eyes. Only 22, he has advanced to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in consecutive seasons. He won a staggering $263,378 a year ago, finishing fourth in the PRCA | RAM World Standings. Why bring this up? It explains how the bareback rider views his current place outside the Top 15 with the summer calendar quickly disappearing. “It’s been a pretty rough season so far. But it’s definitely picking up,” Franks said. Franks is headed in the right direction after his impressive win at the Dodge City (Kan.) Roundup. Franks took the lead in the long round on Frontier Rodeo’s Big League with an 86.5-point ride and finished the win on Gun Fire, also Frontier Rodeo stock. This was not his first time on the horse, but that did not make it any easier to produce the winning score of 174.5 points on two head. “Every time I get on that horse, it gets harder. You wouldn’t think it would be that way, but it is. I don’t know what it was about this time. She fired really hard, bucked really hard and got me out of shape halfway through,” said Franks, who hails from Clarendon, Texas. “I had to keep fighting and grind it out. I got the rodeo win, but she got the overall win.” Given how Franks has found himself chasing money, it’s impossible to overstate what a victory like this can do. Especially on a horse like Gun Fire, who is hard to stay on anywhere, including the NFR. “Oh yeah, it definitely does boost my confidence. When you get on those top-notch animals like Gun Fire and win, I wouldn’t say it makes the horses easier, but it does give you a boost,” Franks said. “You know you have been on one of the best in the world and made it through, so when you get on a mediocre horse that should only help. Now, I don’t feel good about where I am right now, but I am confident I have enough time (to reach the NFR).” It is the reality of sports. While everybody wants to win, and make it look effortless, that is often not the case. This season has proved a learning experience for Franks, something he believes will only help him when he conquers the adversity. “I would say you kind of put yourself through a test all year doing this. You get into some mental fights, those fights in your head when you go through a little slump,” Franks said. “But part of the reward is coming out of it. You can look back and know what you were dealing with and realize you were overthinking it. And it gives you a great sense of accomplishment when you get through the back and forth.” The competition is what motivates Franks. Sure, he loves the travel, and the friendships with fellow cowboys. But it’s the scoreboard that keeps him pushing for a return to Las Vegas.

EARNER Olin Hannum ($10,370, steer wrestling) BAREBACK RIDING Hannum

1. Cole Franks ................ 174.5 pts. on 2 2. Jayco Roper ................................ 173 3. Chad Rutherford .......................... 172 (Tie) Myles Carlson ..................... 172 STEER WRESTLING 1. Olin Hannum ............... 12.8 sec. on 3 2. Don Payne .................................. 13.2 3. Cameron Morman ...................... 13.4 TEAM ROPING 1. Kirchner/ Saebens ....... 18.6 sec. on 3 (Tie) P. Egurrola/JC Flake ........... 18.6 3. G. Tonozzi/J. Davis ..................... 19.1 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Brody Cress ............... 175.5 pts. on 2 2. Shea Fournier ........................... 173.5 3. Ryder Wright ............................ 172.5 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Paul David Tierney ...... 26.8 sec. on 3 2. Lucas Potter ............................... 27.4 3. John Douch ................................ 28.7 STEER ROPING 1. Cody Lee ..................... 35.6 sec. on 3 2. Slade Wood ................................ 36.1 3. Roger Branch ............................. 38.8 BULL RIDING 1. Deklan Garland .......... 173.5 pts. on 2 2. Colton Byram .............................. 167 3. JB Mauney ................................. 88.5

David Seymore photo Bareback rider Cole Franks had an 88-point ride on Frontier Rodeo’s award-winning horse Gun Fire to secure the average title at the Dodge City (Kan.) Roundup Rodeo, a stop on the Playoff Series.

ProRodeo Sports News 8/18/2023

ProRodeo Sports News 8/18/2023

ProRodeo.com

ProRodeo.com

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