ProRodeo Sports News - August 18, 2023

Heating Up Record-setting ride at Sikeston has Cress on August run TOP SCORES TOP MONEY SIKESTON JAYCEE BOOTHEEL RODEO

SIKESTON, MO.

EARNER Emmett Edler ($6,285, steer wrestling) BAREBACK RIDING Edler

BY ALEX RILEY, Special to ProRodeo Sports News F or Brody Cress, third time wasn’t necessarily the charm, but it certainly turned out to be the biggest charm. Before his ride at the Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo in Sikeston, Mo., the veteran saddle bronc competitor learned that he had drawn Womanizer from The Cervi Brothers. It’s a horse that the Hillsdale, Wyo., cowboy is extremely familiar with and was very glad to see yet again. “I was excited to have that horse. That was the third time I’ve gotten to get on him, so I knew a little bit of what to expect, but he’s always a fun one to have,” Cress said. “It’s been a pretty good match up every time. That horse always jumps out there and does his job, so I knew if I could do the same, we would have another good one and it worked out.” Following previous prize-winning rides in San Antonio and at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, Cress posted a 91-point showing on Womanizer at Sikeston, a score which not only won the rodeo but shattered the arena record. The old mark was held by Rusty Allen (2008) and Billy Etbauer (2009) at 88 points. Of course, given Cress’ torrid start to the month of August, none of this should come as much of a surprise. After winning a little prize money in mid-July, Cress closed out the month without adding anything to his totals for the season. Since the calendar flipped, so has Cress’ switch. He won Iowa’s Championship Rodeo to start the month, followed by money earned at the Dodge City (Kan.) Roundup, Home on the Range Champions Ride in Sentinel Butte, N.D., and now Sikeston. Altogether, Cress has won more than $20,000 since August began, helping him climb into the top 10 of the PRCA | RAM World Standings. “Every week is a battle. It’s a battle in your mind and trying to keep your body feeling good as well. I’ve just been trying to stay focused on rehabbing and working out and just being a student of bronc riding. There’s always more to do,” Cress said. “Those guys that are at the top of the world standings, they are a long way ahead of me right now. So, I’ve got something to chase and I’m just trying to chip away at that and do my job every time I can.” Reaching a seventh-consecutive Wrangler NFR remains Cress’ focus as the season hits its most frenzied point. He placed third in the average at the NFR last December, finishing sixth in the PRCA | RAM World Standings when all was said and done. After winning NFR average titles in 2017, 2019 and 2021, Cress is eyeing a big ending to the regular season, which would set him up for success in Las Vegas. So far, so good. “It’s awesome to kind of get into this part of the summer and kind of have a little bit of a run put together where you’re having some luck. It makes things a lot easier with those all-night drives and the scheduling,” Cress said.

1. Tanner Aus ............................. 88 pts. 2. Orin Larsen ................................ 87.5 3. Will Lowe ...................................... 87 STEER WRESTLING 1. Emmett Edler .............. 10.4 sec. on 2 2. Kaden Greenfield ........................ 11.0 3. Clay Clayman ............................. 11.5 TEAM ROPING 1. C. Summers/J. Long ... 10.7 sec. on 2 2. J. Pruitt/G. Elkins ....................... 10.9 3. M. Theriot/C. Curry .................... 11.0 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Brody Cress ............................ 91 pts. 2. Ryder Sanford ............................ 87.5 3. Logan Cook ................................ 86.5 (Tie) Dylan Hancock ................... 86.5 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Chance Oftedahl .......... 18.3 sec. on 2 2. Paul David Tierney ..................... 19.8 3. Westyn Hughes .......................... 20.3 BARREL RACING 1. Summer Kosel .................. 16.00 sec. 2. Jamie Olsen ............................. 16.20 3. Bailey Below ............................. 16.30 (Tie) Jody McKay ..................... 16.30 BULL RIDING 1. Lucas Mooningham ................ 89 pts. 2. Creek Young ............................... 88.5 3. Cody McElroy ................................ 87

Phillip Kitts photo Brody Cress wowed the crowd with his arena-record winning ride of 91 points on The Cervi Brothers Womanizer to win the Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo in Sikeston, Mo.

ProRodeo Sports News 8/18/2023

ProRodeo Sports News 8/18/2023

ProRodeo.com

ProRodeo.com

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