ProRodeo Sports News - May 14, 2021

COWBOY GRILLE WITH TRACY RENCK

H ow did you get involved with rodeo? Colton: We were always around it, so I guess we didn’t have much of a choice. My dad (Sam) owned the Rawhide Pro Rodeo Company. We grew up in Piffard, N.Y., (between Rochester and Buffalo) and my dad was always putting on rodeos. Why did you choose steer wrestling? Steer wrestler Colton Swearingen, 21, began the 2021 season on his PRCA permit and was leading the permit standings with $3,039 before buying his PRCA card in April. Swearingen, 20, is the younger brother of National Finals Rodeo bull rider Daylon Swearingen. Colton initially went to Oklahoma to attend college and in the last year, with the help of four-time National Finals Rodeo qualifying steer wrestler Sean Mulligan, his steer wrestling skills have improved immensely.

COLTON SWEARINGEN

Colton: I’m living in Coleman, Okla., and I’ve gotten to where I’m pretty good friends with (PRCA steer wrestler) Sean Mulligan and his nephew (Tyler Ravenscroft), and I started doing more and more steer wrestling in the last year. It’s an event I had more opportunity in. Sean has been a big help for me. I bulldogged OK when I first came to Oklahoma, and in the last year it has gotten to where it’s a lot better and a lot of that has to do with Sean. Sean and Tyler and I have been traveling together and rodeoing. I’m 6-foot, around 160 to 170 pounds, so technique is a big thing for me in steer wrestling. Did you do any other rodeo events growing up? Colton: I did ride broncs in high school and my dad was a bronc rider, but I quit riding broncs after my junior year of high school. What kind of goals do you have for yourself this year? Colton: I think I’m just going to ease around in the (Prairie) Circuit and maybe venture out a little bit. I just want to get my feet wet a little bit and try and win enough to where I can get to go to the winter rodeos next year. My main goal is to get to the NFR one day. What rodeo do you want to compete in that you haven’t been to yet? Colton: I really enjoy traveling and seeing all the different places. I would like to go to Pendleton (Ore.) and Cheyenne (Wyo.). Everybody talks about those rodeos and it seems like they would be cool rodeos to go to. Those are bucket-list rodeos for anybody, really. What horse are you using? Colton: Her name is Holly. That’s Sean Mulligan’s horse. She’s a very good horse. What kind of advice has your brother Daylon offered you now that you’re on the PRCA trail? Colton: We talked a lot when I told him what my plan was that I wanted to do in rodeo. He offered advice to me on what would be the best way to go about things. I don’t think he’s crazy for riding bulls because he makes a lot of money at it. Where’s your go-to place to eat? Colton: Any good Mexican restaurant. There’s one here in Durant (Okla.) called El Kanelo. When I’m there I get carne asada. My favorite beverage to drink is Coca-Cola. What’s your favorite dessert? Colton: I like cookie cake. What’s your favorite movie? Colton: “The Cowboy Way.” I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve seen that movie. What’s your favorite holiday? Colton: Christmas. My family now is pretty spread out, and normally that’s a time

we all try and get together. My mom (Carrie) and dad still have a place in New York, but mom is a traveling nurse and she’s in Oklahoma right now, but they will probably try to go back to New York this summer. We have a bunch of family in New York, and Daylon lives in Texarkana (Texas).

Are you a phone call guy or text guy? Colton: A phone call guy. I want to call you. What would your life be like without a phone with a GPS in it? Colton: It would be pretty confusing, because that’s the only way I get anywhere. What type of music do you listen to? Colton : I like country music. I like Cross Canadian Ragweed and I like to listen to the Randy Rogers (Band), and people like that.

ProRodeo Sports News 5/14/2021

ProRodeo.com

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