ProRodeo Sports News - November 16, 2018

the final round. “I backed off the barrier a little bit, but the average was so easy I still placed with a 5 flat,” Metsker said. “I knew he wouldn’t outrun us, and I didn’t want to break the barrier. Before we got in the box, Jon (Ragatz) said, ‘Let’s put an exclamation point on this weekend.’” Placing fifth with a 5.0-second run in the final round put Metsker at the top of the average by 2.5 seconds with 12.8 seconds on three head. Metzger’s Louisville efforts were worth $7,876 as well as a qualification to the RAMNational Circuit Finals Rodeo in Kissimmee, Fla., in March. “Jon and Jacob both are 100 percent key to my success,” Metsker said. “We practice at Jon’s house. He’s like an older brother to me. He took me under his wing. The last three years I’ve been inWisconsin and practiced with him and travel with him and Jacob – 100 percent of my success is due to them.” Ragatz begs to differ. “He’s done all of it himself,” Ragatz said. “That’s the type of guy he is. He’s going to say he couldn’t have done it without our help, but that’s not true. He’s a very, very talented steer wrestler.” The 2018 season was Metsker’s best since joining the PRCA in 2013, ranking 74th in the world with $16,261. Metsker entered the RAMGLCFR ranked second in the circuit with $14,425. “This year you could tell he matured mentally to where he took care of business and didn’t let it get to him to accomplish his goal,” Ragatz said. “He was like that all year too. “He would get into some headers and be in a good spot with a good chance to win the rodeo, and he did that. Everywhere he needed to win he did.”

During the 2018 season, Metsker notched seven outright wins and split another. Among those victories were the Sangamon County Fair in New Berlin, Ill., the Mid-Western Rodeo in Manawa, Wis., the Shenandoah Pro Rodeo in Galena, Ill., and the Clay County Fair Rodeo in Spencer, Iowa. “I have this good job, so it’s not like I needed to win anything,” Metsker said. “I did it for fun and was surrounded by good people. Rodeo is simple – don’t overthink it and have fun, which is easy to do.” HARDWIRED FORTHE CIRCUIT Kicking off the 2019 season by winning the Great Lakes circuit isn’t changing Metsker’s plans. “I have too good of a job inWisconsin (to rodeo full time),” Metsker said. “I will stay a circuit guy the rest of my life. I can’t leave my job to go rodeo like I would like to. You need priorities in life and mine is definitely to keep my good job. I’m just glad I had a job to come back to on Monday after being gone for four days.” Metsker is a grain merchandiser at Gavilon Grain in Prairie du Chien, Wis. “They give me a hard time walking into the office, the farmers think I’m some celebrity now,” Metsker laughed. “It’s a cool feeling for the next few days, but I try to stay humble about it.” Ragatz hopes Metsker takes full advantage of his steer wrestling talent but understands his priorities. “I know he has a good career going on with where he’s working, but in the same sense I don’t know if Cody is as big of a believer in himself as other people,” Ragatz said. “I’m hoping this year would give him the confidence to travel hard. Now, there’s nothing wrong with him not wanting to, but I think this year will help him believe in himself more.”

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Complete results on Page 121

SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Tegan Smith ............. 243 pts. on three 2. Logan Allen ................................ 240.5 3. Keith Brauer Jr. ........................... 236.5 4. Weston Pierschbacher ................ 232.5

TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Blake Ash ................ 26.1 sec. on three 2. Jesse Hinkle ................................. 26.6 3. Chance Oftedahl ........................... 27.9 4. Cody Huber .................................. 28.2

BARREL RACING 1. Lacinda Rose ........ 47.34 sec. on three 2. Robin Beck ................................. 48.18 3. Brittany Jacobsen ....................... 48.25 4. Patti Hovland .............................. 48.26

BULL RIDING 1. Gumby Wren .............. 168 pts. on two 2. Jimy Marten ............................... 164.5 3. Nic Lica ...................................... 161.5 4. Trevor Reiste .................... 85.5 on one

ProRodeo Sports News 11/16/2018

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