ProRodeo Sports News -March 5, 2021

SAN ANTONIO

Smith, Corkill tie world record in team roping Record Run BY TRACY RENCK T eam ropers Clay Smith and Jade Corkill have experienced world championship success separately. Now, they’ve won the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo together. The duo tied the ProRodeo record with their 3.3-second run in the finals to capture the title at the Freeman Coliseum. The run tied the record shared by Chad Masters/ TOP MONEY WINNER Stetson Wright ($25,800, saddle bronc riding, bull riding) BAREBACK RIDING 1. Clayton Biglow...................... $11,700 2. Shane O’Connell. .................... 10,150 3. Logan Patterson. ...................... 7,800 STEER WRESTLING TOP SCORES Wright

Corkill (2009, National Finals Rodeo, Las Vegas), Brock Hanson/Ryan Motes (Nacogdoches, Texas, 2012) and Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira (2017, NFR, Las Vegas). The record also broke the San Antonio rodeo record, topping the mark of 3.5 seconds set by Dustin Bird and Levi Tyan in 2020 at the AT&T Center. It was Smith’s first career San Antonio title and Corkill’s second, his first coming in 2011 with Masters. “It’s pretty cool to win this rodeo (this way),” said Smith, who won 2018 and 2019 world titles. “This is one of the most prestigious rodeos there is, and I’m pretty excited about winning it.” Corkill, a three-time world champ, agreed. “This win means a lot,” Corkill said. “We haven’t been able to go to very many rodeos this year, and as far as the world standings go, this is going to help us a lot to get a good start for the rest of the year.” Smith and Corkill won the rodeo with $12,000 apiece. The money moved Smith to third and Corkill to second in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings of their respective events. The impact of the money boost from San Antonio wasn’t lost on Smith with the COVID-19 pandemic. “You’re not really sure when you’re going to get the chance to win this kind of money at one rodeo,” said Smith, 29. “We’re thankful for them having this rodeo, and it makes it even sweeter to win.” Going fast in the finals at San Antonio is something Corkill didn’t hesitate to do. “This is what we do it for, besides the money,” Corkill said. “There’s no better feeling in the world. We get out there and do what we do every day, and the shootout format is good because you can have something go wrong throughout the rodeo and still have a chance to win the rodeo.” Smith also relished the environment of the finals. “There aren’t many nights when you’re basically competing at an NFR,” Smith said. “It’s pretty cool. My brothers (Britt and Jake) made it back to the finals, so there were three of us competing, which was

1. Stockton Graves. .................. $11,250 2. Ty Erickson............................. 10,375 3. Jacob Edler............................... 7,825 TEAM ROPERS 1. C. Smith/J. Corkill................. $12,000 2. D. Egusquiza/T. Graves........... 10,200 3. N. Wyatt/L. Lord....................... 8,575 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Kolby Wanchuk..................... $13,500 2. Chase Brooks............................ 9,075 3. Ryder Wright............................ 7,575 TIE-DOWN ROPER 1. Adam Gray............................ $13,700 2. Kyle Lucas.............................. 10,500 3. Kincade Henry. ......................... 6,950 BARREL RACING 1. Carly Taylor........................... $13,300 2. Amanda Welsh........................ 11,100 3. Kathy Grimes............................ 8,400 BULL RIDING 1. Stetson Wright...................... $15,800 2. Ruger Piva.............................. 10,600 3. Creek Young. ............................ 9,250

Kay Miller photo

Team ropers Clay Smith and Jade Corkill won the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo in a world-record- tying time of 3.3 seconds at the Freeman Coliseum.

Complete results/Page 46

pretty cool. Like Jade said, a rodeo like San Antonio gives a guy a chance if you do well throughout the week you can make it to the finals. The pay is pretty good all the way through and (in the finals) it felt like we were making a run at the NFR.”

ProRodeo Sports News 3/5/2021

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