ProRodeo Sports News - June 21, 2024

XTREME BULLS RENO, NEV.

Surging Ahead

Smith continues June push with victory

BY ALEX RILEY Special to ProRodeo Sports News M averick Smith knew the first bull was going to be the hardest one. If the Mountain Grove, Mo., native could get past Rosser Rodeo’s Sweet Justice, the possibility for a special evening was certainly within reach. Prior to their first-round matchup at the Reno Rodeo Division 1 Xtreme Bulls competition June 20, Sweet Justice had been unrideable in 2024, bucking off all four riders who had climbed on its back. After eight seconds, Sweet Justice’s unridden streak was over. And Smith’s June hot streak was alive and well. The 85-point first-round effort was the launching point for a big night in Reno as Smith went on to claim the championship. “I really didn’t know anything about him and didn’t really look him up or anything. My buddy, Tristen Hutchings, told me that he was a good bull, and he was pretty good,” said Smith, 20. Ironically, the first-round outcome wasn’t the only streak-busting ride Smith got to take part in at the event. His final round foe, Western Rodeos’ Macho Man, was also unridden coming into their match-up, taking down three previous riders in 2024. Once again, Smith’s prowess won out as he notched an 89-point effort to capture the round win and post a two-head score of 174 points. That was easily enough for the victory, holding off Hawk Whitt’s 167.5-point effort. Smith previously won his first PRCA event back on March 2 at the Xtreme Bull Bash in Lufkin, Texas. The victory was big for his confidence – but the earnings from Reno were what mattered most. Thanks to placing in both rounds and winning the average title, Smith put $17,018 in his ledger for one evening of work. Coupled with a trio of second-place showings since the month began, Smith has brought in $25,509 in June alone. For comparison, he earned just $28,025 during his entire rookie campaign in 2023, finishing 75th overall in the PRCA | RAM World Standings. The payday gives him more than $71,300 in earnings for the year, with the entire summer schedule still to play out. And for the up-and-coming competitor, it’s all adding up to put him exactly where he wants to be. “It’s everything, especially starting off the summer this way. It’ll give me a good jump on the year, and I’ll just keep going at them,” Smith said. “(My confidence,) it’s definitely high. When I get back to my buddy’s house, he’ll probably tell me my ego is getting big.”

(Unofficial as of June 20) 1. Josh Frost, Randlett, Utah................... ...................$50,113 2. Roscoe Jarboe, New Plymouth, Idaho....47,156 3. Clayton Sellars, Wildwood, Fla.............. . ............35,125 4. Maverick Smith, Mountain Grove, Mo....34,617 5. Creek Young, Rogersville, Mo................ ...............32,656 6. Tristan Mize, Bryan, Texas..................... .....................31,708 7. Trey Holston, Fort Scott, Kan................. ................26,725 8. Hawk Whitt, Thermopolis, Wyo............. . ...........26,624 9. Luke Mast, Hutchinson, Kan.................. .................24,738 10. Tyler Bingham, Howell, Utah................ ................24,682 11. Jeter Lawrence, Council Hill, Okla........ .......22,897 12. JR Stratford, Byers, Kan...................... .....................22,491 13. Cannon Cravens, Porum, Okla............. ............22,013 14. Fulton Rutland, Westville, Okla............ ...........21,097 15. Trey Kimzey, Strong City, Okla............. ............20,715 Complete results/Page 75 PRCA XTREME BULLS 2024 TOUR STANDINGS

Maverick Smith acknowledges the crowd after his victory at the Reno (Nev.) Rodeo Division 1 Xtreme Bulls. He earned $17,018 for his performance.

Click Thompson photos

Maverick Smith had an 89-point ride on Western Rodeos’ Macho Man to win the final round and the two-head average at the Reno (Nev.) Rodeo Division 1 Xtreme Bulls event on June 20.

ProRodeo Sports News 6/21/2024

ProRodeo Sports News 6/21/2024

ProRodeo.com

ProRodeo.com

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