ProRodeo Sports News - November 19, 2021

DAVIE, FLA.

RAM SOUTHEASTERN CIRCUIT FINALS RODEO

Gavin Soileau tops steer wrestling field at Southeastern Finals Shining Bright BY TANNER BARTH T his past season Gavin Soileau posted the fastest steer wrestling time of the ProRodeo season with a 2.9-second run. Now, as a new year begins, he finds himself back in the headlines again, this time as a circuit finals champion. TOP MONEY WINNER Ernie Courson Jr. ($12,113, bull riding) BAREBACK RIDING TOP SCORES Courson

1. Matthew Smith ............. 235 pts. on 3 2. Jacob Raine ................................ 234 (tie) Kade Sonnier ....................... 234 STEER WRESTLING 1. Gavin Soileau .............. 11.4 sec. on 3 2. Tyler Waguespack ...................... 11.8 3. Will Lummus ............................. 12.0 TEAM ROPING 1. Theriot/Curry .............. 17.0 sec. on 3 2. Justin Yost/Reno Gonzales ........18.0 3. Keven Daniel/Adam Plyler .. 14.9 on 2 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Parker Kempfer ......... 243.5 pts. on 3 2. Kody Rinehart ............................. 232 3. Treyson Antonick ........................ 227 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Bart Brunson .............. 25.9 sec. on 3 2. Macon Murphy .......................... 26.9 3. Ike Fontenot ............................... 27.9 BARRELL RACING 1. Kelley Carrington ...... 45.00 sec. on 3 2. Sarah Rose Waguespack ......... 45.14 3. Jenna Beaver ........................... 45.22 BULL RIDING 1. Ernie Courson Jr. ......... 155 pts. on 2 2. Jace Trosclair ..................... 84.5 on 1 3. Gray Essary III .............................. 83 ALL-AROUND COWBOY Bart Brunson ($8,117, tie-down roping and team roping)

Soileau was a model of consistency at the RAM Southeastern Circuit Finals in Davie, Fla. The 22-year-old took home the average title with 11.4 seconds on three head, he credits his success to his horse Pep. “I have to give a lot of credit to the horse Pep that I rode out there,” said Soileau, a Bunkie, La., native. “He did a great job scoring all week and let me hit the barrier on every run and put my feet on the ground in a good spot. “He put me in a great position to win and Kyle Irwin did a great job hazing for me.” Soileau says this is exactly the start to the season that he was looking for. He earned $8,117 towards the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings in Davie, putting him well ahead of where he was at this point last season. “This is a pretty big deal for me, hopefully we can keep that momentum rolling through the winter and this sure gives me a lot better start than I had last year,” Soileau said. “I think I had like $5,000 won at Reno last year in the middle of the summer, so I already have more than that and it’s just starting.” The Southeastern Circuit presents stiff competition in every event, but the steer wrestling goes above and beyond that. This year’s field featured three Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifiers ( Jacob Talley, Will Lummus, Tyler Waguespack) and the Resistol Rookie Steer Wrestler of the Year (Marc Joiner). “Just being around those guys I think has helped me out a ton,” Soileau said. “They are always looking to help you and willing to give advice. Just listening to them and watching them you pick up a few things. It helps build your confidence when you know you have people like that behind you, supporting you, and rooting for you.” Soileau says he hopes this is only the beginning of a what will be a successful season. He plans to hit the road all year with his fellow steer wrestlers as they continue their quest for an NFR qualification in 2022. “I’m definitely going to try to make a run for the Finals this year,” he said. “Rowdy (Parrott), Remy (Parrott), Dylan Schroeder, and I are going to haul together this summer. We are all going to try to go out there and see what we can do and hopefully make it to our first NFR.”

Complete results/Page 92

David Rosenfield photo

Soileau won his first RAM Southeastern Circuit Finals in Davie, Fla., Nov.13. He captured the title with a 3.3-second run in the final round.

ProRodeo Sports News 11/19/2021

ProRodeo Sports News 11/19/2021

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