ProRodeo Sports News - October 19, 2018

NFSR PREVIEW

single steer ropings.” Cooper will try to add to that total when he and the other Top 15 PRCA steer ropers head to Mulvane, Kan., to compete in the ClemMcSpadden National Finals Steer Roping at the Kansas Star Arena, Nov. 2-3. Seemingly everywhere Cooper went in 2018 for steer roping he cashed a check. His biggest steer roping payout came at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo when he departed town with $22,677. That wasn’t his only stellar performance in steer roping. He also earned $9,675 at the National Circuit Finals Steer Roping in Torrington, Wyo., and $11,445 at the Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days. Cooper put a bow on his memorable season when he broke Allen’s record by earning $2,308 at the Cowboy Capital of the World PRCA Rodeo in Stephenville, Texas, which ended Sept. 30, the final day of the 2018 season. “I am still fresh in the steer roping game,” Tuf Cooper, who leads the PRCA | RAM World Standings in steer roping, earned his biggest steer roping check of the season at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo in February, when he garnered $22,677. Greg Westfall photo

BY TRACY RENCK S o much for a learning curve. regular season. Tuf ’sTime? NFSR BASICS WHAT: Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping WHEN: 7:30 p.m. (CT), Nov. 2; 7:30 p.m. (CT), Nov. 3 WHERE: Kansas Star Arena, Mulvane, Kan. COST: Tickets from Cooper builds big lead heading off to NFSR In Tuf Cooper’s second season competing full time in steer roping he became the best there ever was – in a single

The Weatherford, Texas, cowboy established the PRCA record for money earned in a season before the National Finals Steer Roping with $89,427. The previous record was set in 1998 by the legendary Guy Allen with $87,927. “No way, that’s so cool,” said Cooper, 28. “I only went to about 30 rodeos this year in the steer roping, and it was great from start to finish. To break a money record is awesome for our sport and for our event. It means things are getting better. I really appreciate all of the rodeos that have the steer roping and all of the

$25, available at www. kansasstarcasino.com

WHAT’S AT STAKE: Top 15 steer ropers vying for a world championship and $425,000 in prize money.

ProRodeo Sports News 10/19/2018

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