ProRodeo Sports News - July 24, 2020

XTREME BULLS SPANISH FORK, UTAH Sidelined by injury, Sellars gets huge Bulls’ victory Restored

BY TRACY RENCK D oubt can creep into the mind of even the best bull riders in the world because of an injury. That was the case for Clayton Sellars. In December, the Stephenville, Texas, cowboy was fresh off making his Wrangler National Finals Rodeo debut, finishing 12th in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings with $158,018. He placed in two rounds in Las Vegas, highlighted by splitting third in Round 8 with a 91.5-point ride on Big Stone Rodeo Inc.’s Spotted Demon. Little over a month later, Sellars’ goal of making a second consecutive trip to the Wrangler NFR took a huge hit. He tore his anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the Division 1 SWELS – Xtreme Bulls at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, Jan. 22. Sellars was injured during his 77.5-point ride on Big Rafter Rodeo’s Road Rage in the long round. When ProRodeos were halted because of the coronavirus pandemic frommid-March to the third week of May it worked in Sellars’ favor. He spent hours working out at a gym at saddle bronc rider Brody Cress’ place in Stephenville. On July 1, Sellars returned to rodeo competition at the Black Hills Roundup in Belle Fourche, S.D. The 22-year-old was riding again and eager to get a win to prove to himself he was back. That proof came July 20. After placing in numerous PRCA Division 1 Xtreme Bulls events since 2017, Sellars captured his first career Division 1 Xtreme Bulls victory, claiming the title at the Spanish Fork (Utah) Fiesta Days Xtreme Bulls, July 20. Sellars won with a 90-point ride on Frontier Rodeo’s Trophy Rack. “I had never heard of that bull before, but I asked the Frontier guys about him,” Sellars said. “They said he was a young bull and really bucks and that if I twisted him upright, I could win the whole thing, and that’s exactly what happened. I’ve been second and third in Xtreme Bulls events multiple times, but I never won one of these things, so this is pretty exciting for me.” This was the second time Spanish Fork hosted a Division 1

Xtreme Bulls event. Eli Vastbinder won the inaugural event last year. “My knee feels great, no problems at all,” Sellars said. “My leg is a little weaker, and I’m trying to get strength back, but as far as the energy goes, it feels phenomenal. I spent so much time off. It’s been six months since I’ve had a win like this, and to put this win together lets me know I’m still as good as I’ve always been.” Sellars earned $12,056 for his eight-second performance, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Sellars climbed from 46th to 27th in the world standings with $22,855 and a little over two months remaining in the regular season. “I was out there (July 20) just hangin’ and bangin’ and rockin’ and rollin’ jump for jump,” Sellars said. “That was a really good bull and really fun to ride. It was enjoyable. When I saw 90 points on the scoreboard it was a huge relief. It was kind of a reassurance that I could still do this. The money I won here is a big help and should give me a big jump in the standings.” $40,185 The payout for the Division 1 Spanish Fork Fiesta Days Xtreme Bulls, an in- crease of $11,750 from the payout of the inaugural Spanish Fork Division 1 Xtreme Bulls in 2019. 1. Boudreaux Campbell, Crockett, Texas..$39,521 2. Ky Hamilton, Mackay, Australia. ............27,451 3. Ty Wallace, Collbran, Colo.....................20,911 4. Dustin Boquet, Bourg, La......................20,166 5. Clayton Sellars, Fruitland Park, Fla.. ......18,888 6. Jeff Askey, Athens, Texas......................18,000 7. Shane Proctor, Grand Coulee, Wash.. ....17,919 8. Parker McCown, Montgomery, Texas.....17,347 9. Laramie Mosley, Satanta, Kan................16,208 10. Levi Gray, Dairy, Ore.. .........................15,833 11. Sage Kimzey, Strong City, Okla............12,280 12. Trevor Kastner, Roff, Okla....................12,122 13. Dallee Mason, Weiser, Idaho................11,517 14. Coy Pollmeier, Fort Scott, Kan.............10,855 15. Matt Palmer, Poplar Grove, Ill..............10,588 COMPLETE RESULTS ON PAGE 56 PRCA XTREME BULLS 2020 TOUR STANDINGS (Unofficial as of July 22)

19 The number of spots Clayton Sel- lars jumped in the PRCA | RAM World Standings after winning the Division 1 Xtreme Bulls event in Spanish Fork.

Phillip Kitts photo

ProRodeo Sports News 7/24/2020

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