ProRodeo Sports News - March 1, 2024

JACKSON, MISS.

DIXIE NATIONAL RODEO

J.D. Struxness uses efficient effort in steer wrestling win Dixieland Delight TOP SCORES

TOP MONEY EARNER

BY ALEX RILEY, Special to ProRodeo Sports News J .D. Struxness liked his first-round effort at the Dixie National Rodeo in Jackson, Miss., but felt he could do a little better. After posting a time of 5.2 seconds in his first steer wrestling run, Struxness knew he was probably out of contention to win money in the opening round, but a much bigger opportunity was still on the table. “Looking at the times after the first round, I knew I wasn’t that far out of it,” Struxness said. “On the second one, I just made sure I got a better start and hit the barrier and just tried to max the steer out as much as I could to try and speed things up a little bit to try and place in the average. And then I ended up winning the average so that was a better spot to fall.” The Milan, Minn., cowboy went for 4.5 seconds in the next round, placing fourth, and giving him an aggregate time of 9.7 seconds on two head. That was good enough to edge both Eli Lord and Cash Robb at 9.9 seconds for the Dixie National steer wrestling title. Struxness came into the event sitting 20th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with a little over $10,500 already won this year. The win earned him another $5,028. Beyond a nice addition to his earnings, the victory also solidified Struxness’ equine partnership for the coming year’s season. Late last year, he began using Ty Erickson’s horse, Crush, to compete, including during his fifth appearance at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. The horse has proven to be a good fit, helping him take ninth in average at NFR, including a Round 5 victory. After the duo picked up a little bit of money at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, Struxness was hoping to get the ball rolling in Jackson. And Crush didn’t disappoint. His composure in the box helped Struxness navigate the barrier and post times good enough to win. “I liked the combination so I asked Ty if it would be alright to ride him at the winter rodeos this year. You’ve got to be thankful when guys let you on those good horses like that because it helps your chances at winning,” Struxness said. Now, the duo is looking to have more success as the heart of the winter rodeo season begins to unfold. With runs at Houston, Austin, and others still to come, Struxness feels he and Crush are in alignment and ready to go. The goal – win some money, climb the standings, and get back to NFR. And thanks to Dixie National, that plan is off to a good start. “It’s always super nice to collect the win or collect a bunch of money here early on in the winter because it gets your confidence up and kind of gets things rolling going into these big winter rodeos,” Struxness said. “These winter rodeos, they can really set your year up and make your life a little easier throughout the summer if you can find a way to have a good winter.”

Damian Brennan ($5,894, saddle bronc riding) BAREBACK RIDING

Brennan

1. Cole Franks..............................86 pts. (Tie) Bill Tutor.................................86 3. Two tied at .....................................85 STEER WRESTLING 1. J.D. Struxness...............9.7 sec. on 2 2. Eli Lord..........................................9.9 (Tie) Cash Robb.............................9.9 TEAM ROPING 1. B. Tryan/C. Smith...................4.4 sec. (Tie) D. Turner/J. Delgrza...............4.4 3. Q. Parchman/G. Smiith..................4.5 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Damian Brennan...................87.5 pts. 2. Kade Bruno.....................................87 3. Three tied at ................................85.5 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Randall Carlisle............15.6 sec. on 2 2. Ike Fontenot.................................15.7 3. Trenton Smith..............................15.9 BARREL RACING 1. Emily Beisel.......................13.45 sec. 2. Sara Winkelman.........................13.49 3. Hailey Kinsel..............................13.59 BULL RIDING 1. Brody Yeary.............................90 pts. 2. Hayden Harris..............................89.5 3. Trey Benton III................................88

Michael Roberts photo Steer wrestler J.D. Struxness gave his winter run a boost by winning the Dixie National Rodeo, a stop on the Playoff Series. Struxness left town after earning $5,028.

Complete results/Page 56

ProRodeo Sports News 3/1/2024

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