ProRodeo Sports News - Sept. 6, 2024

FILER, IDAHO

MAGIC VALLEY STAMPEDE

On Track

Cole Walker gaining momentum with win BY ALEX RILEY, Special to ProRodeo Sports News A ugust was a pretty tough stretch for Cole Walker. To start the month, the steer wrestler won Kansas’ Biggest Rodeo in Phillipsburg. A few days later, he picked up a runner-up showing in the second round at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo in Missouri. Since then, the results have left a lot to be desired. Over the next nine rodeos, there was no additional prize money coming in. The Springtown, Texas, native either recorded a no time or posted a result that was outside of securing a check. The Resistol Rookie needed something positive to happen. And the Labor Day holiday weekend provided just that. At the Magic Valley Stampede in Filer, Idaho, Walker finished his run in 3.5 seconds, three-tenths of a second better than a trio of cowboys who tied for runner-up, allowing him to take home the title and $3,416 in prize money. “It’s been a rough last couple weeks. Finally glad to get it turned around,” Walker said. Walker gives a lot of credit to his travel partners for helping him navigate the difficult stretch. The first-year competitor has been tagging along with rodeo veterans Sam Dixon, Kyle Irwin, Stephen Mullins and Tyler Pearson all season. The group has offered him plenty of guidance on the ins and outs of competing in PRORODEO, which has helped him keep his confidence, even during difficult stretches. Walker used Dixon’s horse, Baby, to run his steer in Filer, while Irwin was his hazer during the win. “Just being around the guys I’ve been around has been helpful. They’ve been there and done that,” Walker said. “They can tell me what I’m doing wrong, and I’ve been able to fix things and have better catches and better starts.” That guidance has helped him get in position for Resistol Rookie of the Year honors in the steer wrestling. Walker was sitting second in the standings with a little more than $45,000 in earnings. That puts him about $9,000 back of fellow Texan Ty Bauerle as the regular season quickly draws to a close. For Walker, that makes the next few weeks extremely important. Coupled with $679 from a fifth-place finish at the Sanders County Fair & PRCA Rodeo in Plains, Mont., Walker hopes to keep the momentum rolling over the next few weeks, allowing him to remain in contention for Rookie of the Year honors. “I’ve just got to figure out what my steer does and trust everything I’ve done to get here and worry about myself and the steer and don’t beat myself,” Walker said.

TOP SCORES

Egusquiza

Lord

TOP MONEY EARNER Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord ($4,862, team roping) BAREBACK RIDING

1. Rocker Steiner .................... 90.5 pts. 2. Nick Pelke ..................................... 89 3. Kade Sonnier ............................. 87.5 STEER WRESTLING 1. Cole Walker .......................... 3.5 sec. 2. Will Lummus ............................... 3.8 (Tie) Tristan Martin ...................... 3.8 (Tie) Mike McGinn ....................... 3.8 TEAM ROPING 1. D. Egusquiza/L. Lord ............ 3.7 sec. 2. B. Hall/K. Profili ........................... 3.9 (Tie) K. Johnson/C. Johnson ....... 3.9 (Tie) C. Snow/H. Koch ................. 3.9 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Dawson Hay ....................... 87.5 pts. 2. Ben Andersen ............................... 87 3. Sage Newman ............................ 86.5 (Tie) Kolby Wanchuk ................. 86.5 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Cory Solomon ....................... 7.6 sec. 2. Cash Enderli ................................ 8.1 3. Cole Clemons .............................. 8.5 BULL RIDING 1. Rawley Johnson .................... 88 pts. 2. Jestyn Woodward ...................... 86.5 3. Brody Yeary ............................... 79.5

Complete results/Page 69

Amanda Dilworth photo Cole Walker kept his NFR hopes alive at the Magic Valley Stampede. Walker clocked a 3.5-second run to walk away with the win in Filer, Idaho.

ProRodeo Sports News 9/6/2024

ProRodeo Sports News 9/6/2024

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