ProRodeo Sports News - November 16, 2018

DECEMBER 6-15 LAS VEGAS

Nogueira in familiar territory BackAgain

BY CASSIE EMERSON T here might be a bit of déjà vu for team roping heeler Junior Nogueira. The top of the 2018 PRCA | RAMWorld Standings at the end of the regular season is no different than the previous two years, when Nogueira also entered the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in the No. 1 spot and with his sights set on a gold buckle. But this year the season leader story is a little different for the heeler, as his team roping partner Kaleb Driggers is not heading into the Wrangler NFR in the top spot. Nogueira is hoping the third time’s the charm for capturing the heeling gold buckle that has eluded him. Nogueira enters the Wrangler NFR with a $591 lead over second-ranked team roping heeler Paul Eaves. “A gold buckle is what you work for and strive for all year,” Nogueira said. “I have a gold buckle, but I want one in team roping. I really want to win one with Kaleb. We have worked hard toward achieving that goal.” Nogueira became the first Brazilian PRCA world champion in 2016 when he won the all-around title. He knows that his success has inspired people to pursue their goals. As for Nogueira, he is far from done pursuing his own objectives. He wants the gold buckle in the team roping, badly. This marks the third season he has roped with Driggers full time, and the duo has had another sterling year. The two do not take much time to reflect on their accomplishments. They’re too busy working toward other goals. “It’s awesome to do good, because that’s what we work for,” Nogueira said. “But as soon as we accomplish one thing, we start working toward our next goal. You can’t stop working and moving forward. You work to achieve one thing, but then you have to focus on the next one. We’re focused and ready for the NFR.” This is the third time Nogueira has been in the No. 1 position, and he is hoping the experience from the previous two times will help.

“Experience is the best form of practice,” Nogueira said. “I have been in this position before, and anytime you get that experience it can only help you the next time.” Finishing as the season leader is gratifying, but he ultimately wants the gold buckle, he said. “We never tried to be number one, we always try to do our job and do the best we can every time,” Nogueira said. “Everyone knows whoever has the best Finals can end up being world champ, no matter what position he comes into the Finals. There is so much money to be won in Vegas.” The winter was a little slower for Nogueira, but he eventually got rolling. Nogueira earned a check at 49 rodeos, with his biggest win coming in Edmonton, Alberta. A 4.2-second run there with Driggers helped them each pocket close to $10,000. The duo also got quite the payday at Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days, where they finished second in the average and pocketed more than $9,000. The duo captured a win at five other rodeos and split the win at three more, helping Nogueira enter the Wrangler NFR with close to $116,000. The duo is not letting the past affect their outlook. Their practice routine is meticulous and requires true teamwork, Nogueira said. “We both have several horses, and I’ve got some Mexican steers like the ones we’re going to rope at the Finals,” he said. “We both know what it takes, and we are focused and determined to achieve it. We try to make the same runs we are going to make at the Finals. We know we have to catch them all.” Nogueira’s sights are set on the gold buckle, and he will continue to work toward his goal. “It is what you rodeo for,” Nogueira said. “You dream about it your whole life, you work for it day in and day out. I feel like we work at it as hard as anyone. I am determined, so it would be a huge accomplishment for me.”

Team roping heeler Junior Nogueira leads the heeling world standings heading to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo for the third consecutive season. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Greg Westfall

ProRodeo Sports News 11/16/2018

ProRodeo.com

67