ProRodeo Sports News - May 18, 2018

GRILLE COWBOY

JEFF FLENNIKENmight be in the early stages of his ProRodeo career, but he’s already well traveled. Ranked second among team roping headers in the PRCA Resistol Rookie Standings with $6,249 as of May 17, Flenniken, who turns 22 June 1, has found a veteran heeler to partner with and is reliant on his religious faith to guide him toward a fruitful career.

WITH NICK CICERE PSN

You’re ranked second among rookie headers. How’s your rookie season been for you, so far? Jeff: It’s been good. I kind of switched around partners a little bit. I started out with Bucky Campbell and we did all right, but we decided to do something different, so I started roping with Jake Minor. What’s it been like roping with an accomplished heeler like Jake? Jeff: It’s been pretty cool actually. It’s pretty exciting to get to rope with someone who’s made the NFR twice, when I’m just starting. What kinds of things have you picked up from Jake in your time roping together? Jeff: He’s pretty calm and doesn’t get worked up when we don’t do too well. He stays level. That’s good for me to be around him, to keep my head straight and not get too down. He’s pretty good about that. How cool was it for you to qualify for the Permit Members Challenge in Las Vegas last December and then win it? Jeff: It was really cool because I grew up with Wyatt Hansen and we both qualified. We didn’t rope together at any ProRodeos last year, but we grew up together in California and then I moved to Idaho. When we both qualified, I texted him, saying, “Hey, do you want to rope?” He said yes. It was just pretty cool to get to win it with him. When did you move to Idaho? Jeff: When I was about 12. So, having moved to Caldwell when you were still a kid, was the Caldwell (Idaho) Night Rodeo a big deal when you were growing up?

Jeff: Yeah. Huge thing. This last year was the first I got to rope in it and it was awesome. I made the short round and my whole family was there to watch me. All the people I went to school with around here came and watched me, and I ended up placing fourth. Was rodeo a family thing or was it something you picked up on your own? Jeff: My dad always roped and my grandpa roped. It’s always just been kind of the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do. I never played any other sports or anything, I just roped. When did you know that rodeo was something you wanted to pursue? Jeff: I was about 14 years old and I went to Winnemucca, Nev., for a roping event, and I had never won a saddle before then. I really wanted to win one, and I couldn’t figure out why I couldn’t. I won three saddles that weekend, and that’s when I knew what I wanted to do. On your Facebook page, you call yourself “A Christian that ropes.” How important is your faith to you?

Jeff: Oh yeah, it’s way more important to me than roping. I like to have peace. I don’t think there is any way you can make it without God. Whatever you do in life, you can’t make it without him. Do you do anything for work outside of rodeo? Jeff: My grandpa has a ranch and he’s helped me get my herd started. I run some cows of my own and I help him with his cows when I’m home. Is there any rodeo athlete that you grew up idolizing? Jeff: Junior Nogueira is my favorite. When he first came to the United States, he came to my grandpa’s place with

Jake Barnes. We started to get to know each other and he started coming every year. I went and hung out with him in Texas for a few weeks, and we became really good friends. Obviously, you’re still very early in your rodeo career, but down the road, what do you hope to accomplish before it’s all said and done? Jeff: I hope to make the NFR just like everyone else. I hope to make it a few times. Do you have a favorite movie? Jeff: I like Robin Hood. The one with Russell Crowe. Who’s your favorite artist? Jeff: I like Mercy Me, and a little Eminem, too.

JEFF FLENNIKEN

ProRodeo Sports News 5/18/2018

ProRodeo.com

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