ProRodeo Sports News - June 15, 2018

WOODWARD ELKS RODEO

ranked second in the average with 13.9 seconds on three head at the CNFR. “I feel like I’m on a roll right now,” Devers said, speculating that his approach might be more aggressive. Devers ended the regular season of college rodeo ranked ninth in the nation as part of the Northwestern Oklahoma State University rodeo team. “I’d been having to pick and choose which pro rodeos to go to between college rodeos, and I missed some college rodeos by going to the pro rodeos, so it’s tough balancing it all,” Devers said. Funding for his senior year was helped by the 2017 Harry Vold Memorial Scholarship. “I actually knewHarry for a long time,” Devers said. “It helped a bunch with as expensive as school is.” Now that he’s completed his bachelor’s in agriculture business, the 22-year-old Oklahoma cowboy can focus on PRCA competition. If all goes as planned, Devers wants to compete at the RAMPrairie Circuit Finals Rodeo and make his first Wrangler NFR qualification. “Hopefully, I will stay on this roll,” Devers said. “We’re going to North Platte after the College Finals and we’re going to stay pretty busy.” Hazen expects big things from his traveling partner. “He’s a good kid and you’ll hear about him a lot more, I promise that,” Hazen said.

in the second round to win the average, but he tied for fourth and won the average by 1.7 seconds. “He’s figuring out that he doesn’t need to blow it out, and he’s been around it more and he’s getting more relaxed around the big dogs,” Hazen said. Devers’ efforts at Woodward were worth $4,422 and a confidence boost going into the summer. Devers started his PRCA career in December 2014 but didn’t win any money in the 2015 season. He earned $1,380 in 2016 and $9,181 in 2017. “I really didn’t go out very much, I made 10 or 12 rodeos in 2014-16,” Devers said. “Then I got in the rig with Jule, and we went to a lot more rodeos this year and last year.” Getting out more paid off earlier this year when Devers won Rodeo Corpus Christi (Texas) on April 29, worth $4,152. “He’s young and agile,” Hazen said. “You just need to keep the steers in between the fences and he has a chance.”

MONEYTALKS

Woodward’s added money was the same as before – $7,000 – but contestant numbers nearly doubled by moving the date and adding steer wrestling, Peck said. “Just coming off the Cheyenne (Frontier Days) date made a difference,” Peck said. Woodward had about 530 contestants this year, compared to last year’s 267, many of whom have competed at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Attendance increased as well, from 16,000 to 21,000. “If you’re going to get them, get them when they are in your area,” Peck said. The larger payout made a difference for Devers. Winning Woodward launched Devers from 38th to 26th with $18,819 in the 2018 PRCA | RAMWorld Standings as of June 12. “Man, it’s a real big momentum boost,” Devers said, adding the increased confidence is already paying off at the College National Finals Rodeo where he won the first round in 3.8 seconds. As of June 14, Devers was

Cody Devers received the Harry Vold Award at the 2017 CNFR. From left, Roger Walters, Kirsten Vold, Dona Vold Larsen, Tami Vold Larsen and Devers. Dan Hubbell photo

Complete results on Page 66

SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Jacobs Crawley ........................ 81 pts. 2. Will Pollock .................................. 79.5 3. Dean Wadsworth .......................... 78.5 4. Wade Sundell .................................. 78

TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Tyson Durfey ............. 18.3 sec. on two 2. Ryan Jarrett .................................. 18.6 3. Quay Howard ................................ 19.2 4. Reno Gonzales .............................. 20.0

STEER ROPING 1. Corey Ross ............. 39.2 sec. on three 2. Billy Good ..................................... 40.1 3. Jim Locke ..................................... 40.2 4. Roger Branch ............................... 41.3

BULL RIDING 1. Fulton Rutland .......................... 84 pts. 2. Trevor Kastner ................................. 83 3. Kenan Isbell ..................................... 76 4. Trey Kimzey .................................. 74.5

ProRodeo Sports News 6/15/2018

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