ProRodeo Sports News - Nov. 22, 2019

WRANGLER NATIONAL FINALS RODEO

Tie-down roper Taylor Santos competes during the Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. Santos, a fourth- generation cowboy, will make his Wrangler National Finals Rodeo debut after finishing sixth in the world standings with $101,407. Matt Cohen photo

First-Timers 23 rodeo cowboys will be making their Wrangler NFR debut in December

BY TRACY RENCK R eaching PRCA’s pinnacle event – the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo – is a mission for all cowboys. In 2019, 23 cowboys accomplished that feat for the first time. The newbies are a mix of rookies, grinders and veterans, making 21.9% of the field first-time cowboys at the Wrangler NFR. The rookie class includes bull riders Stetson

NFR NEWBIES

Wright, Daylon Swearingen and Trey Kimzey, and tie-down ropers Haven Meged and Shad Mayfield. Mayfield, who turned 19 on Nov. 11, is the youngest first-time qualifier in the field. At 37, tie-down roper Michael Otero is the oldest first-time qualifier in the group. The 2019Wrangler NFR will be at theThomas &Mack Center in Las Vegas, Dec. 5-14. Tie-down roper Taylor Santos, a fourth-generation cowboy, is a first- time Wrangler NFR contestant. The 2016 PRCA | Resistol All-Around Rookie of the Year, Santos was 22nd in the 2018 PRCA | RAMWorld Standings. This season he got over the hump, finishing sixth in the regular- season world standings with $101,407. “It means everything (to make the Wrangler NFR),” said Santos, 25. “Not only for me, but for all my family and friends. There have been so many people who put time and effort into this goal of making it to the National Finals. Obviously, it means the world to me, but for my family and friends, as well. They aren’t lying when they say it takes a village.”

FOREVER READY Santos has been getting ready to compete in Round 1 of the Wrangler NFR for years. “I have dreamed about roping there ever since I was a kid,” Santos said. “Growing up, I’ve run thousands and thousands of calves in my head as if I were roping there. I don’t think it will be a shock (competing there), but it is going to be cool to take in the whole process and enjoy it.” Clayton Sellars was the 2018 PRCA | Resistol Bull Riding Rookie of the Year but missed making the Wrangler NFR last season, finishing 19th in the world standings. That near miss to Vegas fueled Sellars in 2019, as he placed fourth in the regular-season standings with $129,191. “I was expecting to make the NFR this year, and it feels great to see it through,” said Sellars, 21. “The fire was burning hot because I missed it last year, and I think that helped me in 2019.” Sellars’ only experience at theThomas &Mack Center before 2019

ProRodeo Sports News 11/22/2019

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