ProRodeo Sports News - December 16, 2022

STEER WRESTLER JORGENSEN FLEXES MUSCLES IN WIN The final four sudden-death round in steer wrestling at the Cinch Playoffs was gushing with talent. Ty Erickson was the 2019 PRCAWorld Champion, Dakota Eldridge won the average at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in 2015 and 2017. Kyle Irwin has made six trips to the NFR and then there was Stetson Jorgensen with four trips to the NFR. In the star-studded field, it was Jorgensen who walked away the champion with his 3.9-second run. Jorgensen just edged Eldridge and Irwin, who tied for second with 4.0-second runs. Jorgensen earned $13,000 for the win and $14,800 at the rodeo. “This is awesome,” said Jorgensen, 29. “At the end of the year to get a big check like this means a lot,” said the 6-foot, 200-pound Jorgensen. “This put me more in the front seat where I want to be.” Jorgensen cemented his place in the four-man sudden round by placing first in the eight-man semifinals with a 3.7-second run. “My strategy in the final four was to not back off,” Jorgensen said. “Green lights are going, and you try and get the best start you can.” Jorgensen of Blackfoot, Idaho, was aboard his standout horse, Mable, 12. BULL RIDER TREY HOLSTON STAYS HOTS For most of the season, bull rider Trey Holston flew under the radar. Well, by the time the Cinch Playoffs finished on Sept. 11, he had his name amongst the best. When the four riders in the final four – Garrett Smith, Conner Murnion, Ky Hamilton, and Holston each failed to make the whistle – Holston was awarded the overall victory, thanks to his 77.5-point semifinal winning ride on Bridwell Pro Rodeos’ Louisiana Lightning. “That’s not how I wanted to go out (not riding in the finals) by any means, but I just take what I can get,” Holston said. “It just shows you sometimes you are on one end of the stick and sometimes you are on the other. (Sept. 11) I was on top, and it worked out well and I’m very thankful. “This time of year (a win like this) means a little bit more because we are on a steady grind. We really have to dedicate ourselves to our end goals. I took the week off (before the Cinch Playoffs) and nourished my mind and body and it worked out well. For this to end up this way, it shows that my process paid off, which was really exciting. This left no doubt that I would make the NFR, which means everything to me.” LEIGHTON BERRY LEAVES MARK ON CINCH PLAYOFFS Leighton Berry was the model of consistency as this year’s Cinch Playoffs in Puyallup, Wash. and it paid off in more ways than one. Berry had four rides of at least 83 points, which included the highest marked ride of the entire rodeo with a 90-point trip on Calgary Stampede’s Xplosive Skies in the four-man finals to claim the title. He pocketed $18,325 for his efforts. “Man, it feels awesome. I can’t explain the feeling of how blessed I feel right now,” said Berry, 23. “Everything just kind of worked in my corner this week. I drew really really good and that dang sure helps a guy out. I’m lucky to feel as good as I do and be as healthy as I am right now at this point in the season.” Headed into the finals, Berry knew a matchup with the 2021 Pendleton Whisky’s Let ‘er Buck Bareback Horse of the Year could be on the docket. He said while he felt like he left a few points out there, he was happy with the end result. “I’m not going to lie, I think a lot of the points came from the horse on that ride,” he said. “I thought I could’ve done my job a little better. “I wasn’t sure what to expect. I gave it all I had, and that horse gave it back twice as much. I’m just ready to have that horse again, hopefully at another event like this.” TEAM ROPERS PROCTOR/MEDLIN SHINE IN PUYALLUP Sometimes all it takes is a little luck on your side for things to turn out in

Steer wrestler Stetson Jorgensen won the final four round of the Cinch Playoffs with a 3.9-second run. Dave Thomas photo

your favor. Coleman Proctor and Logan Medlin acknowledged that was the case after they captured the title at the 2022 Cinch Playoffs in Puyallup, Wash. The duo was the first team out in the four-man finals and clocked a 6.0-second run. Proctor said he never thought that time would stand for the win. “I don’t think that anyone was thinking that was going to hold up and win first place,” said Proctor, a seven-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier. “With the class of ropers there are anymore, 6.0-second runs are far too common. “There were some things that happened there that I would’ve never dreamed of. I haven’t seen Clay Smith miss one since Moby-Dick was a minnow. This place right here it can be such a grind and it can be hard.” His partner echoed a similar statement and said these are the type of opportunities you have to take advantage of if you want to be successful in the sport of rodeo. “You know we don’t get to go to very many rodeos throughout the year that pay $13,000 in one round,” said Medlin. “So, anytime you get to come to Puyallup (Wash.), and you are roping for this kind of money it’s a blessing to be here. We are just grateful that it turned out our way.” MAYFIELD SNARES TIE-DOWN ROPING CROWN Shad “Money” Mayfield cashed in at the Cinch Playoffs Sept. 11. The superstar tie-down roper clocked an 8.8-second time to win the final four sudden-death round. “Luckily I knew the first guy (Blane Cox) broke the barrier and the second guy ( John Douch) missed, so after that I knew I just had to make the best run I could and let it fall into place,” Mayfield said. “I just let that happen and it feels good to get a good check out of here.” Mayfield earned $13,000 by winning the final round and left town with $14,800. The Clovis, N.M., cowboy entered the final day of competition with $178,089. With his check in the final four, Mayfield surpassed tie-down roper Tuf Cooper’s record of $190,445 for the most money won in a single regular season before the NFR in the event. Cooper set the mark in 2017. “I really didn’t know if I got the record or not, but it feels good to win this rodeo,” said Mayfield, the 2020 PRCA Tie-Down Roping World Champion. “I knew this would put money in my pocket and go towards the standings.”

ProRodeo Sports News 12/16/2022

ProRodeo.com

87