ProRodeo Sports News - November 17, 2023

TEAM ROPING HEADER Deja Vu

Kaleb Driggers returns to NFR as leader for second straight season BY TANNER BARTH T he 2020 ProRodeo season changed a lot for team rop ing header Kaleb Driggers. 2023 TEAM ROPING HEADER STANDINGS

1. Kaleb Driggers, Hoboken, Ga................. $160,145 2. Tyler Wade, Terrell, Texas......................... 154,926 3. Nelson Wyatt, Clanton, Ala....................... 145,083 4. Dustin Egusquiza, Marianna, Fla.............. 138,348 5. Derrick Begay, Seba Dalkai, Ariz............... 138,115 6. Coleman Proctor, Pryor, Okla................... 133,487 7. Rhen Richard, Roosevelt, Utah................ 123,484 8. Erich Rogers, Round Rock, Ariz............... 119,654 9. Tanner Tomlinson, Angleton, Texas.......... 118,706 10. Andrew Ward, Edmond, Okla.................. 114,765 11. Clay Smith, Broken Bow, Okla................. 103,154 12. Marcus Theriot, Lumberton, Miss........... 102,164 13. Clint Summers, Lake City, Fla................. 100,522 14. Jake Cooper Clay, Sapulpa, Okla............. 100,127 15. Luke Brown, Rock Hill, S.C....................... 97,752

He not only made some adjust ments to his roping inside the arena, but lifestyle changes out of it. It all seems to have worked out for the better. This December, Driggers will head into the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge the No. 1 heeler in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $160,145. It marks the second straight season that Driggers has gone into Las Vegas sitting first. In 2023, Driggers and team roping partner Junior Nogueira picked up key wins in Reno, Nev., Hermiston, Ore., and Ellensburg, Wash., to name just a few. He said even though the standings reflect a very good regular season, it was a challenge for most of it. “There have been some ups and downs this season, it hasn’t been all smooth sailing,” said Driggers, a two-time PRCA World Champion. “But we’ve just tried to keep our heads on straight. We’ve had some really good stretches of rodeo and some not so good. But overall, it’s been a good season.” Driggers and Nogueira

FROM THE CHAMP

“The competition in our sport is so tough and more times than not it comes down to how well you perform in Las Vegas,” Driggers said. "So, you don’t expect to ever win a world championship, but we put in the work and time and try to get the

Driggers

best horses we can to give ourselves a chance to win it. Our first world title in 2021 was kind of a sigh of relief that we finally got over the hill and got it accomplished. It was a fight to the finish last year, but I think it was a little more exciting for me because it proved we deserved one.” – Kaleb Driggers

Kaleb Driggers will look to make it three straight PRCA World Championships this December in Las Vegas, as he goes into the NFR No. 1 in the PRCA | RAM World Standings. Jake Hodnett photo photo

The duo has their eye on making it three straight world championship, Dec. 7-16 at the Thomas & Mack Center. They know they will have to bring their ‘A-game’ to walk out with another gold buckle at the conclusion of 10 days of competition. “It’s always in the back of your mind (wanting to win a third world championship), but at the same time you can’t live in the past or the future,” Driggers said. “You just have to take things day by day. "We have to take each steer for what he is and try to do the best we can. You can’t try to do too much, or it’ll come back to hurt you.”

teamed up for the first time in 2016 and since then the duo has earned more than $1.75 million together, including seven trips to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Driggers said teaming up with the star-studded heeler has been a dream come true and something he doesn’t take for granted. “He ropes amazing and every single steer that I get to run with him is a blessing,” he said. “Honestly, I couldn’t ask for a better partner than Junior.” With the regular season in the rear-view mirror, Nogueira sits second in the world standings just $12,008 back of Wesley Thorp for the No. 1 spot.

QUOTABLE “He ropes amazing and every single steer that I get to run with him is a blessing. Honestly, I couldn’t ask for a better partner than Junior.” – Kaleb Driggers

ProRodeo Sports News 11/17/2023

ProRodeo Sports News 11/17/2023

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