ProRodeo Sports News - July 7, 2023

PECOS, TEXAS

Steer wrestler Cade Staton content rodeoing close to home and winning Priorities BY BRADY RENCK Special to ProRodeo Sports News A Rodeo creates options. For every cowboy that gnashes his teeth and loses sleep over winning a gold buckle in Las Vegas, there are countless competitors who enter the arena near their homes, enjoying their event without leaving the state. Cade Staton grew up around steer wrestling. At age 31, married with four children, his priorities are different now. “Me being on the road is done. I am happy staying TOP MONEY EARNER Cole Clemons ($6,672, tie down roping) BAREBACK RIDING TOP SCORES Clemons WEST OF THE PECOS RODEO

1. Rocker Steiner......................90.5 pts. 2. Keenan Hayes..............................88.5 (Tie) Jess Pope............................88.5 STEER WRESTLING 1. Cade Staton...................9.7 sec. on 2 2. Nick Guy......................................10.5 3. Colt Honey...................................11.0 TEAM ROPING 1. C. Tew/C. Johnson.......14.0 sec. on 2 2. R. Stoebner/W. Kitchens..............14.9 3. K. Daniel/T. Graves.......................15.0 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Kolby Wanchuk........................89 pts. 2. Lefty Holman...............................87.5 3. Wyatt Casper..................................86 (Tie) Stu Wright ............................ 86 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Cole Clemons...............19.7 sec. on 2 2. Westyn Hughes............................19.9 3. Tyson Durfey...............................20.8 STEER ROPING 1. Billy Good....................40.9 sec. on 3 2. Chet Herren.................................41.7 3. Rocky Patterson..........................42.5 BULL RIDING 1. Dustin Boquet.......................89.5 pts. 2. Alex Cardozo...................................88 (Tie) Creek Young...........................88

put. I went hard for a couple of years trying to reach the (National Finals Rodeo). But I don’t have any desire to make that push anymore,” Staton said. “It’s a big commitment and a lot of sacrifice for the family.” So, it was then that Staton, a Bastrop, Texas, native found himself at the West of the Pecos (Texas) Rodeo. Stars littered the field. But Staton knows the Buck Jackson Arena well. He’s been going there since he was 5 years old. Two years ago, his mom won the barrel racing, and Cade added another title. He secured the steer wrestling crown, posting a time of 9.7 seconds on two head, edging out Nick Guy’s 10.5-second mark. “The key was sitting there, scoring sharp and trusting my horse (FedEx). I just had to stay confident and go hard,” Staton said. “It was hot. It was 118 degrees during the day, and sitting there in the trailer, the A/C was blowing cold, but couldn’t keep up. It was special, though. My parents started taking me there when I was little. I absolutely take pride in winning and especially in Texas. To get two buckles from Pecos in the family, it is special.” The timing could not have been much better. Cade and Katherine’s son Craig arrived on June 1. A few years ago, Staton also won at San Angelo a few weeks after his daughter Kelly was born. The couple has four kids – Courtney, Margaret, Kelly, and Craig – making dad’s priorities easy to see. The way his career is now he can compete and not miss out on much. “I love horses. I love training horses and watching the progress they make,” said Staton, who was an accomplished athlete, playing pitcher and catcher on Alvin (Texas) Community College’s baseball team. “My dad and uncle were steer wrestlers. I would be at home and there would be 10-to-15 guys practicing at our place. “Really, I have been around steer wrestling my entire life. I just don’t want to be away from home anymore. I am perfectly content doing it this way.”

Complete results/Page 73

Robby Freeman photo

Texas native Cade Staton was thrilled to claim the win at the West of the Pecos Rodeo with a 9.7-second time on two head.

ProRodeo Sports News 7/7/2023

ProRodeo Sports News 7/7/2023

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