ProRodeo Sports News - March 31, 2023

Hunter Herrin captures tie-down roping title BY TRACY RENCK & TANNER BARTH AUSTIN, TEXAS

Veteran tie-down roper Hunter Herrin keeps turning back the clock. Herrin, who joined the PRCA in 2004, has seen a resurgence in his career the last three-plus years as he qualified for the Wrangler National Finals from 2020-2022 after last appearing in 2016. Well, the Apache, Okla., cowboy could be on his way to his fourth consecutive Wrangler NFR after he won Rodeo Austin with a 7.1-second run. ProRodeo Hall of Famer Fred Whitfield set the Austin record with a 7.0-second run in 2014. This was the first time Herrin won Rodeo Austin in his career. “It’s good to kickstart the year with (this win), and I have had a pretty good winter so far,” said Herrin, 38. “This kind of caps it off a little bit. We have San Angelo the next two weeks, which is a really good one, but a win like this kind of reaffirms that you can still do it. “I’m just glad to be able to do it and work with these young kids and have my chance every now and again.” Herrin was riding Dinero, 11. “I rode him all last year and at the NFR, and he’s been good,” said Herrin, who left Austin after earning $14,165. Although Herrin continues to rope at a very high level, he’s not fueled by the gold buckle. “It is just about winning,” Herrin said. “It would be awesome and I’m not going to say it wouldn’t mean something (winning a gold buckle), but it is not the ultimate goal for me anymore. I had my opportunities when I was 20, 22, 24, 25 and 26 and kind of dropped the ball here and there. Now, things have gotten faster, but I feel it has gotten easier for me. I’m a little older and I can’t go quite as fast as I used to go. So, things have actually slowed down, which benefits me more.”

James Phifer photo Hunter Herrin won Rodeo Austin with a lightning fast 7.1-second time in the eight-man finals. Branco ties arena record in Austin win A win at Rodeo Austin has been years in the making for steer wrestler Stan Branco. Branco began his ProRodeo career in 2006 at the age of 19. Now, at 36 years old he’s showing he still has what it takes to compete against the best of the best. He put that talent on full display at the Travis County Exposition Center, March 25. The Chowchilla, Calif., cowboy was the last contestant of eight to qualify for the finals. That didn’t slow him down one bit. Branco put together a lightning fast 3.2-second run to not only win the rodeo but tie the arena record. The run is also the second fastest in the PRCA this season. Not bad for a cowboy that has spent the past few years rodeoing part-time. “I don’t think I’ve ever had much success here,” said Branco, a 2013 Wrangler NFR qualifier. “I haven’t been here in a really long time. I can tell you that much. This win feels really good. Last year getting to make the (NFR Open) made it where I could go out and rodeo. I had a lot of success, which is what really led to this winter.” The $10,270 Branco earned in Austin, bumped him inside the Top 15 of the PRCA | RAM World Standings as of March 29. He said at this point in the season it’s too early to tell if he will rodeo the entire year or not. “I’m going to go hard through Salinas (Calif.), then I’m going to evaluate where I’m sitting at (in the standings). I have a full-time shoeing business at home and a family. I don’t want to put my family in jeopardy rodeoing. So, if it pays and I can afford to stay out here I’ll be going.”

James Phifer photo Veteran steer wrestler Stan Branco won Rodeo Austin with a 3.2-second run, which tied the arena record.

ProRodeo Sports News 3/31/2023

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