ProRodeo Sports News - December 16, 2022

WRANGLER NFR RECAP

Changing History

BY PRCA STAFF S tetsonWright capped his Stetson Wright caps epic year with all-around, bull riding titles Wrangler NFR season for the ages Saturday night. Wright set the single-season PRCA earnings record ($927,940), all-around single-season record ($758,829), bull riding single-season record at $592,144 and bull riding earnings at the NFR at $271,545, counting ground money before 17,788 spectators at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge. “This year has been the best and the hardest year I have had in the PRCA,” saidWright, 23. The Milford Utah, cowboy now has seven career world championships – four in all-around (2019-22); two in bulls (2020 and 2022) and saddle bronc riding (2021). Wright also placed in 15 out of the combined 20 rounds he competed in saddle bronc riding (seven) and bull riding (eight) at theThomas &Mack Center. Wright finished fourth in the saddle bronc riding PRCA | RAM World Standings with $335,797. “I didn’t think it was,” saidWright when asked about winning more than $900,000 in one season. “I feel like I have shocked myself a lot this year.” TIE-DOWN ROPER CALEB SMIDT COLLECTS FOURTH WORLD AND AVERAGE TITLES Caleb Smidt doubled his pleasure at the 2022Wrangler NFR. The Bellville, Texas, cowboy won his fourth world title and fourth NFR average honor.

Stetson Wright salutes the Thomas & Mack Center spec tators after Round 8. Wright won Round 8 in saddle bronc rid ing and bull riding as part of his Wrangler NFR for the ages. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Click Thompson

1983, 1995); and FredWhitfield (1991, 1997, 1999, 2002) for most NFR average wins. STEER WRESTLER TYLER WAGUESPACK CLAIMS FOURTH WORLD CROWN Tyler Waguespack is no stranger to winning world championships – but his fourth world title on Saturday night was a bit improbable. The favorites to win the world – Stetson Jorgensen andWill Lummus – stumbled. Jorgensen received a no time in Round 10 and Lummus broke the barrier. In came Waguespack to win his fourth world title. Waguespack also

Smidt, a model of consistency, earned a PRCA tie-down roping single season record $374,737. He also earned an NFR tie-down roping record of $225,221. “It’s unbelievable. Just what I have accomplished is beyond my imagination,” Smidt said. Smidt won the average with an 82.5-second time on 10 head. He also won world and average titles in 2015, 2018, 2021-22. Smidt is tied with tie down ropers Olin Young (1959, 1962-63, 1971); Roy Cooper (1976, 1979,

ProRodeo Sports News 12/16/2022

ProRodeo.com

18