ProRodeo Sports News - Oct. 28, 2022

WACO, TEXAS

Soileau joins Texas Circuit, wins RTCFR New Setting BY JOLEE JORDAN, Special to ProRodeo Sports News A year ago it was palm trees and lush, tropical scenery. This year it was the rolling hills of Texas. While the terrain was different, the outcome was exactly the same for steer wrestler Gavin Soileau – a championship in ProRodeo’s circuit system. In 2021, Soileau waltzed out of the RAM Southeastern Circuit Finals Rodeo in Davie, Fla., with the average championship and a berth to the NFR Open. RAM TEXAS CIRCUIT FINALS RODEO

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But in 2022, Soileau jumped west, claiming the Texas Circuit and earning a position in the RAMTexas Circuit Finals Rodeo held Oct. 11 14 inWaco with the Heart O’Texas Fair & Rodeo. After four go rounds of tough action against several Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifiers and world champions, Soileau rose to the top again, winning a circuit finals rodeo average for the second straight year at 17.4 seconds. “Last year was my first time to really try to make a circuit finals,” said Soileau, 23. “I went down there to the Southeastern Circuit Finals and won like $8,000 and it gave me a big boost early in the year.” Due to rule changes, Soileau re-evaluated his circuit designation for the new season. “I was traveling with Rowdy and Remey Parrott, and Rowdy is living in Belleville (Texas), so I switched circuits to go rodeo over there in Texas,” said Soileau, who makes his home in Bunkie, La. Though he grew up in a family of team ropers, Soileau switched over to steer wrestling in eighth grade and has never looked back. “It’s just fun getting down and getting your hands on one versus just sitting on a horse when you’re roping,” he laughed. “The adrenaline rush is fun.” Long before he made the jump to ProRodeo, Soileau was gathering championship titles. He owns year-end championships in the steer wrestling and all-around in Louisiana High School Rodeo as well as a steer wrestling title from the 2018 International Finals Youth Rodeo. Once he made the move to college, rodeoing for McNeese State in Lake Charles, La., he won the 2021 National Championship at the College National Finals Rodeo. He came back in 2022 and earned the reserve national title behind fellow Texas Circuit Finalist Walt Arnold. Entering the Texas Circuit Finals ranked fifth in the standings, Soileau set the tone early with a round win on opening night after turfing his steer in 4.1 seconds. “Just like any other rodeo,” Soileau said. “Hit the barrier and go as fast as you can.” Soileau called upon his good horse, Dash, for the finals and the Parrott brothers for hazing duties. “My good horse actually got hurt right before we left for the summer run, on our last practice day,” Soileau said. “I jump rode a bunch at first and just rode him here and there. But then I started to get more confident with (Dash).” As Dash got more seasoned through the end of the year, Soileau finished 43rd in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings with $40,215. Soileau earned $7,229, money which counts toward the 2023 world standings. He will also make a return trip to the NFR Open, the circuit’s national championship, which is open only to the year-end and average winners from each of the circuits. In 2021, he advanced all the way to the final round at the NFR Open in Colorado Springs, Colo. last July.

Askey

1. Zach Hibler. ...................331 pts. on 4 2. Cole Reiner...................................328 3. Lane McGehee..............................319 STEER WRESTLING 1. Gavin Soileau............... 17.4 sec. on 4 2. Rowdy Parrott. ............................17.7 3. Cade Goodman............................19.6 TEAM ROPING 1. Wyatt/Worley............... 19.7 sec. on 4 2. L. Aguilera/C. Payne. ...................21.1 3. A. Livingston/S. Smithson...........24.0 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Parker Fleet....................253 pts. on 3 2. Isaac Diaz.....................................252 3. Jacobs Crawley.............................250 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Michael Otero. ............. 36.3 sec. on 4 2. Joel Harris...................................37.0 3. Sterling Smith..............................37.9 STEER ROPING 1. Cody Lee...................... 53.0 sec. on 4 2. Scott Snedecor............................62.8 3. Cash Myers..........................31.5 on 3 BULL RIDING 1. Jeff Askey ................. 252.5 pts. on 3 2. Tyler Taylor ......................... 169 on 2 3. Toby Collins .......................... 87 on 1

Complete results/Page 46

James Phifer photo

Steer wrestler Gavin Soileau won the average at the RAM Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo and left Waco after earning $7,229.

ProRodeo Sports News 10/28/2022

ProRodeo Sports News 10/28/2022

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