ProRodeo Sports News - October 19, 2018

AWARDS

Big 10 BY MATT NABER W ith a week left in the regular season, Kyle Whitaker, 42, was $33 shy of qualifying for the Linderman Award. His third-place ride at the Coy Lutz Memorial Rodeo in Centre Hall, Pa., was worth more than just the check the Nebraska cowboy earned Sept. 22 – it also earned him his fourth consecutive Linderman Award and the 10th he’s won since 1997. “This will be my last one,” Whitaker said. “It was hard getting on broncs this year, but I wanted to get qualified one more time at least.” Nobody qualified for the Linderman Award in 1994 or 1996. To be in the running for the award, cowboys must win at least $1,000 in a minimum of three events, where at least one of those must include one roughstock and one timed event. “I had good battles with guys like Trell Etbauer to win the Linderman, but it’s a little different the last few years where there aren’t as many guys trying for it,” Whitaker said. The only other cowboy in the running for the Linderman Award this year was Caleb McMillan. The Linderman Award, named after ProRodeo Hall of Fame cowboy Bill Linderman, recognizes cowboys who perform at both ends of the arena. Linderman won six world championships, two in the all-around (1950, 1953), two in saddle bronc riding (1945, 1950) and one each in bareback riding (1943) and steer wrestling (1950). “I really respect the award and what Bill Linderman did for the sport of rodeo,” Whitaker said. “I think it’s a true cowboy award.”

Whitaker wins 10th Linderman Award, fourth in a row

PAST WINNERS 1966: Benny Reynolds 1967: Kenny McLean 1968: Paul Mayo 1969: Kenny McLean 1973: Bob Blandford 1974: Bob Blandford 1975: Chip Whitaker 1976: Phil Lyne 1977: Chip Whitaker 1978: Chip Whitaker 1979: Chip Whitaker 1980: Steve Bland 1981: Lewis Feild 1982: Tom Eirikson 1983: Marty Melvin 1984: Marty Melvin 1985: Tom Eirikson 1986: Bob Schall 1987: Tom Eirikson 1988: Lewis Feild 1989: Philip Haugen 1990: Bernie Smyth Jr. 1991: Lewis Feild 1992: Bernie Smyth Jr. 1993: Casey Minton 1994: No qualifiers 1995: Chuck Kite 1996: No qualifiers 1997: Kyle Whitaker 1998: Kyle Whitaker 1999: Dan Erickson 2002: Dan Erickson 2003: Kyle Whitaker 2004: Mike Outhier 2005: Kyle Whitaker 2006: Kyle Whitaker 2007: Mike Outhier 2008: Trell Etbauer 2009: Trell Etbauer 2010: Trell Etbauer 2011: Kyle Whitaker 2012: Kyle Thomson 2013: Trell Etbauer 2014: Joe Frost 2015: Kyle Whitaker 2016: Kyle Whitaker 2017: Kyle Whitaker 2000: Jesse Bail 2001: Jesse Bail 1970: Phil Lyne 1971: Phil Lyne 1972: Phil Lyne

Kyle Whitaker won his first Linderman Award in 1997, and his 10th at 42. PRCA ProRodeo file photo

and Etbauer as the only cowboys to win the award three consecutive years. Now he’s the only one to win the prestigious award four consecutive years. ChipWhitaker won the award a total of four times (1975, 1977-79). “I didn’t think he’d be doing it over 21 years, that’s for sure,” ChipWhitaker said. “It will take a long while for someone to beat it.” Although he’s hanging up his bronc riding saddle, Kyle Whitaker’s not done competing. He’s planning to continue steer wrestling.

Whitaker said he’s more consistent in steer wrestling now, but he’s slowed down in tie-down roping and saddle bronc riding. “It’s harder when you get on a bronc every two weeks as opposed to two to four a week,” he said. His father agreed. “I think his body paid for this one,” ChipWhitaker said. “… It’s hard on him.” Last year, Kyle Whitaker joined his dad, Phil Lyne

ProRodeo Sports News 10/19/2018

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