ProRodeo Sports News - Sept. 6, 2024

KENNEWICK, WASH.

Franks eyeing return trip to Las Vegas Motivation HORSE HEAVEN ROUNDUP

BY BRADY RENCK, Special to ProRodeo Sports News C ole Franks was blunt. He enjoyed every second of his back-to-back berths to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge. But he insisted missing the trip to Las Vegas last season, was the best thing to happen to him. He was inconsistent and injured, a jarring experience for a cowboy who finished third in the PRCA | RAM World Standings in 2021 and fourth in 2022. “I didn’t draw very well. And it didn’t help that I had to sit out due to my neck injury. It was tough. It sucked. But it was worth it,” Franks said. “I got a little complacent after having the success I did, and it showed. So, it was kind of a blessing in disguise, and it gave me a little more drive moving forward.” The statistics bear this out. Franks has been on a heater this season, ranking seventh in the standings. He has won five notable events, including the Horse Heaven Roundup Rodeo in Kennewick, Wash., Aug. 20-24. Franks put the field on notice with his first ride, and never let up. The 23-year-old posted an 87.5-point ride on Calgary Stampede’s Yukon Rambler in the long round. Sitting in first place, Franks finished with a flourish in the finals with an 88.5-point ride on Calgary Stampede’s Disco Party. His 176-point score on two head, bested second place by 3.5 points. “For sure when you get those horses, you have to capitalize on it. You can’t stub your toe. I have always liked having a little bit of pressure coming into the final round after leading,” Franks said. “It gets me more tuned in, and sometimes makes me even better.” In order to rebound this season, Franks had to audit his preparation. It was no longer enough to show up and hang on. He adopted a routine that includes stretching in warmups before climbing on the stock. But much of what he’s done to improve takes place outside the arena. “Staying healthy has allowed me to get into a groove. It’s about making sure my body holds up, so I have spent a lot of money this year on physical therapy,” Franks said. “And I feel better than I ever have. Pain is part of what we do. I know that, and I don’t mind it. But you have to be able to keep your body and mind free.” Franks grew up dreaming of becoming a professional cowboy. He didn’t do junior rodeo – “I am glad I didn’t because I would have burned out” – but starred in high school and college. It led to a seamless transition into the PRCA. Now, Franks is looking forward to returning to the NFR, after his 2023 season left him humbled and hungry. “It would mean the world to me to get back there. The goal is to be in the top five in the standings and get to (Las Vegas) with a chance to win it,” Franks said. “I love doing this because it is not for everyone. It’s probably one of the toughest things you can do for a living. But I have always liked doing the harder stuff.”

TOP MONEY EARNER TOP SCORES

Justin Shaffer ($9,510, steer wrestler) BARBACK RIDING

Shaffer

1. Cole Franks .................. 176 pts. on 2 2. Waylon Bourgeois ................... 172.5 (Tie) Weston Timberman ......... 172.5 STEER WRESTLING 1. Justin Shaffer ............. 11.6 sec. on 3 2. Will Lummus ............................. 11.8 3. Eli Lord ...................................... 12.1 TEAM ROPING 1. A. Ward/K. VonAhn ..... 19.5 sec. on 3 2. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp .......... 19.7 3. Clint Summers/Jake Long .......... 20.1 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Brody Cress ................. 176 pts. on 2 2. Allen Boore .............................. 171.5 3. Damian Brennan ......................... 171 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Marty Yates ................. 22.9 sec. on 3 (Tie) Haven Meged .................... 22.9 3. Riley Pruitt ................................. 23.6 BARREL RACING 1. Kassie Mowry ........... 33.78 sec. on 2 2. Carlee Otero ............................. 34.11 3. Paige Jones ............................. 34.47 BULL RIDING 1. Fulton Rutland ............. 173 pts. on 2 2. Stefan Tonita ................................. 88 (Tie) Wacey Schalla ...................... 88

Complete results/Page 60

Roseanna Sales photo

Cole Franks and Calgary Stampede’s Disco Party tangoed for 88.5 points at the Horse Heaven Roundup Rodeo. The ride secured Franks the average title with 176 points on two.

ProRodeo Sports News 9/6/2024

ProRodeo Sports News 9/6/2024

ProRodeo.com

ProRodeo.com

40

41