ProRodeo Sports News - October 18, 2019

2019 PRCA | Resistol Rookie of the Years named The Newcomers ROOKIES OF THE YEAR BY MATT NABER T here’s only one chance in a ProRodeo athlete’s career to win rookie of the year, and it comes when they’re still learning how to compete at the professional level. Between riding, roping, figuring out which of the 700- always played sports but never had time to go rodeo until now. It’s what I always wanted to do, and it’s just a great feeling to wake up and do what I really love now. What’s the biggest achievement of your rookie year?

I won the most money at the Reno (Nev.) Rodeo ($6,671) and Dodge City (Kan.) Roundup Rodeo ($5,998) – I placed second at both of those. Over the year, I had torn ligaments in my left hand, so I was hurt for quite a while. I had to work on my hand while competing, and my hand was really sore. We were at North Platte (Neb.) and a steer stopped and pulled my fingers backwards. I thought I had broken my hand. It’s not back to normal yet, but it’s not as painful. KAL FULLER AGE: 19 EVENT: Team roping header (partner was Kasper Roy) HOMETOWN: Bozeman, Mont. EARNINGS: $41,762 What’s the most important lesson you learned during your rookie year? would worry about it. But this year, a big lesson for me was I was able to not worry about it when I missed a steer. There are a lot of rodeos during the year, and this year I learned that one or two bad runs doesn’t define you. What’s the biggest achievement of your rookie year? The biggest run was at Bremerton (Wash.), I ended up winning the rodeo. I’ve never been a 3 (second run) in my life and I was 3.4. That was when I knew that I could really do it. What was the biggest challenge you overcame as a rookie? The mental block was the biggest challenge. At the beginning of the year, it felt like I wasn’t as confident and my head got in the way. Then summer came around and I let myself do my job and let my reflexes and body take over. PADEN BRAY AGE: 20 (turns 21 on Nov. 27) EVENT: Team roping heeler (partners were Probably not sweating the little things. If I missed, it would affect a lot of things, and I Probably just to have a short memory. You’re going to a different rodeo every day, so have a short memory and a positive attitude. You need to know you have another chance for money and be ready for it. What’s the biggest achievement of your rookie year? I had $2,500 when I started with Erich (Rogers) at the end of April. I was behind. And then from April to the end of the season I won $65,000 with Erich and almost made the Finals. I was four months behind, and it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, but it’s still a good accomplishment. Over the Fourth of July, I wasn’t in the top 50. Then, we won $17,000 and hit 24th. I had always looked for my name in the Tanner Green and Erich Rogers) HOMETOWN: Granbury, Texas EARNINGS: $67,014 What’s the most important lesson you learned your rookie year?

plus competitions to enter and how to get there, it’s a sink or swim season during the first year in the PRCA. But the best cowboys in each event are recognized for rising to the top as the PRCA | Resistol Rookies of the Year. While most rookie winners have been decided, the outcome of the all-around, tie-down roping and bull riding rookie races will be decided during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in December. StetsonWright and Daylon Swearingen are in contention for the all-around rookie title. Haven Meged and Shad Mayfield will compete at the Wrangler NFR in tie-down roping. The bull riding rookie race includes Wright, Swearingen and Trey Kimzey. STETSON WRIGHT AGE: 20

EVENTS: All-around ($182,999), saddle bronc riding ($71,301) and bull riding ($152,422) HOMETOWN: Milford, Utah EARNINGS: $223,723 What’s the most important lesson you learned in the race for the all-around? Which event is harder – bull riding or saddle bronc riding ? I learned I could hang with the big dogs. Going

into it, I was hoping for the best and I didn’t do well at the start of the year. When I realized I could do whatever I set my mind to I ended the year pretty strong. Before I broke my jaw, the bull riding was easier, but when I came back after a month I got on a horse and it was like I learned a bunch of stuff I didn’t know and I was riding better than I have all year. What does being the saddle bronc riding top rookie mean to you? It means everything. All my brothers and uncles won it, and I don’t feel left out now. What would winning bull riding rookie of the year mean to you? That would mean a lot. If I could win all three titles would be amazing and would boost my confidence. My goal this year was to win five buckles at the NFR, two in bull riding, two in saddle bronc riding and one in the all-around – so I guess that’s six buckles since there’s the

all-around rookie one, too. DENELL HENDERSON AGE: 26 EVENT: Steer wrestling HOMETOWN: Damascus, Ark. EARNINGS: $47,347

After more than doubling the amount won by last year’s steer wrestling rookie of the year, what does rookie of the year mean to you? It was a goal I had set when I first thought about trying to buy a PRCA permit. It means a

lot to go ahead and finally get it done. I’m looking forward to furthering these goals. I played college basketball for Oral Roberts University and

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