ProRodeo Sports News, June 1, 2018

Greg Westfall photo

Peggy Gander photo

Dustin Boquet, left, and Koby Radley, both from Louisiana, have scored some big money during the 2018 season. As of May 29, Boquet was fourth in the PRCA | RAM World Standings, while Radley was 12th.

Cajun Cookin’ BY SCOTT KANIEWSKI W ithout prompting, Dustin Boquet rattled off the last three bull riders from Louisiana to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. “Who are the three?” he asked before finishing his own question. “Cole Echols, Jacob (O’Mara) and D.J. (Domangue), ain’t it?” Bingo.

Young bull riders rising from the bayou

“That’d be awesome,” Radley said. “That’s what we dreamed of growing up and going to amateur rodeos; that’s what we always wanted to do.” The two 20-somethings from the Bayou State have burst into the Top 15 in the latest PRCA | RAMWorld Standings. Boquet was sitting fourth in the world as of May 29 with $59,627, while Radley was 12th with $35,148. Boquet, 24, has moved out of his native state to Texas, saying that living in the Lone Star State makes it easier to get to rodeos. Radley is barely out of his teens, having turned 20 on May 27. The two formed a bond at rodeos and have built it into a friendship that drives them. “Amateur rodeoing while we were growing up, Dustin and I went every weekend, and every weekend he and I were winning something,” Radley said, adding that the two talk or text daily. “It was either he or I were going to win it

Echols qualified in 2013, O’Mara in 2011 and Domangue last did it in 2010. Of the three, only Domangue has been to the Wrangler NFR multiple times. Knowing those names by heart also attests to the few Louisiana bull riders who’ve been making the Wrangler NFR in recent years. Now, Koby Radley and Boquet are trying to be the first Louisianans to reach the Wrangler NFR since Echols, and they’re hoping to get there together.

ProRodeo Sports News 6/1/2018

ProRodeo.com

32