ProRodeo Sports News - March 29, 2024

HOUSTON

BY TANNER BARTH & TRACY RENCK Creek Young continues strong start with win

Creek Young has never been afraid of the moment in his five-year ProRodeo career, and he proved that once again at NRG Stadium on March 17. A year ago, Young found himself in the exact same position, the Championship Shootout at RodeoHouston with $50,000 up for grabs. Ultimately, he fell short of the win and finished third. He was bound and determined to not let that happen again in 2024. “I’m definitely thankful, super thankful. I was in this exact same situation last year and rode my bull for 7.5 seconds,” said Young, 23. “We all four bucked off and had to run four more in there. That day it didn’t end up going how I wanted it to. It all kind of came full circle today. I got to come back here, and we got it done the right way this year.” A matchup with Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Preacher proved to be the difference. This time around it resulted in an 87-point ride and the coveted Houston buckle. He felt confident headed into the four-man finals. “I had actually been on three of the four bulls that were in the four man within the last month,” Young said. “Two of them here at Houston and one of them in San Antonio. So, I was pretty confident on all of them. It ended up being a rematch from my semifinal set with the bull I had drawn. I think I rode him a little bit better the second time.” Now, with over $55,000 added to his season total, Young sits No. 1 in the PRCA | RAM World Standings. His sights are squarely set on adding a gold buckle to his name in December. “It comes down to just trying to trust myself. I know how to ride bulls,” Young said. “If I get myself into these big situations and moments, I just need to capitalize on them. Then, remembering I got the good Lord above watching over me. If I put my faith in him everything will shake out the way it should.”

RodeoHouston photo/Mallory Beinborn Creek Young covered Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Preacher for 87 points to win RodeoHouston on March 17. The ride earned him the $50,000 first-place check.

ProRodeo Sports News 3/29/2024

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