ProRodeo Sports News - Sept. 6, 2024

XTREME BULLS ELLENSBURG, WASH.

Sellars continues Xtreme Bulls dominance Locked In

BY BRADY RENCK, Special to ProRodeo Sports News C layton Sellars is having a season to remember in the PRORODEO ranks. “Life’s pretty good,” Sellars told The Cowboy Channel. “I can’t lie.” Sellars and his wife Billie welcomed their first child, son Poncho Pete, a few weeks ago. It has been part of a series of events that have Sellars poised to return to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge for the fourth time after a two-year absence. Ranked ninth in the PRCA | RAM World Standings, Sellars strengthened his bid with a stellar ride at the Ellensburg (Wash.) Rodeo Xtreme Bulls. Sellars posted an 89-point ride on Wayne Vold Rodeo’s Wild Time in the long round, pocketing $10,469. His night was far from over. The ride helped him advance to the 12-man finals. Unfortunately, no cowboy made the eight-second whistle in the short round. Ultimately, Sellars was crowned the champ from his top ride in the first round. The first-place average check was worth an additional $17,449. “It’s just something special. I have been here four or five times in my career, and it’s eluded me every time,” Sellars said to The Cowboy Channel after his victory. “The bulls bucked, everyone was doing their best, the fans were absolutely amazing. They were fired up. Thank you, Ellensburg!” Comb through Clayton Sellars’ career, and his success remains impossible to miss. He won the Resistol Rookie of the Year award in 2018. He qualified for three straight Wrangler National Finals Rodeos beginning in 2019. Then, Sellars left the PRCA. He’s back full time in 2024 and back in his groove. He did not reinvent himself. He leaned on old staples. He was hungry, motivated by an NFR bid. He used the end of his 2023 season to get back on track, knowing he would not be going to Las Vegas. It has worked. He has been healthy. When it comes to riding bulls over the long season, sometimes availability is the best ability. “Yeah, the NFR is what we are all shooting for. There’s a bigger goal ahead for me,” Sellars said during his in-arena interview. Sellars’ resume this season includes victories across the country. The Wildwood, Fla., native has topped the leaderboard at the Crossett (Ark.) Riding Club, the San Antonio (Texas) Stock Show & Rodeo and the 10th Annual Arcadia (Fla.) Fall Rodeo. He has also performed his best when it matters most. With big money on the line, Sellars boasts four Xtreme Bulls wins. “The X-Bulls have always been good to me. A lot of money available,” Sellars said. “And a lot of good bulls.” The past six weeks have been dizzying for Sellars. He’s bounced from rodeo to rodeo across the country, became a dad and re-established his status amongst the sports best. It has been a reminder to take nothing for granted. “In the bull riding what keeps me coming back, I don’t know it’s that cliche. The dragon and the goat. Here is the big scary animal. If you can be your best, everything you need for your family is on the other side of it,” Sellars said. “It’s super hard. And it makes you better when you work hard and get rewarded by staying on for those eight seconds.”

(Unofficial as of Sept. 5) 1. Josh Frost, Randlett, Utah................... ...................$94,682 2. Clayton Sellars, Wildwood, Fla.............. . ............81,802 3. Tyler Bingham, Howell, Utah.................. ..................54,357 4. Trey Kimzey, Strong City, Okla............... ..............52,009 5. Wacey Schalla, Arapaho, Okla................ ...............50,945 6. Jace Trosclair, Chauvin, La.................... ...................49,266 7. Roscoe Jarboe, New Plymouth, Idaho....47,156 8. Luke Mast, Hutchinson, Kan.................. .................45,715 9. Lukasey Morris, Union City, Okla........... ..........39,669 10. Jake Gardner, Fort St. John, B.C.......... ..........38,947 11. Tristan Mize, Bryan, Texas................... ...................37,755 12. Creek Young, Rogersville, Mo.............. .............37,236 13. Maverick Smith, Mountain Grove, Mo..34,617 14. T.J. Gray, Dairy, Ore............................ ...........................34,280 15. Jeter Lawrence, Council Hill, Okla........ .......33,648 Complete results/Page 75 PRCA XTREME BULLS 2024 TOUR STANDINGS

Sellars’ Xtreme Bulls win in Ellensburg marked his fourth X-Bulls victory of the 2024 season. He sits No. 2 in the PRCA Xtreme Bulls Standings.

Molly Morrow photos Clayton Sellars has his eyes on Las Vegas after winning the Ellensburg Xtreme Bulls with an 89-point ride on Wayne Vold Rodeo’s Wild Time.

ProRodeo Sports News 9/6/2024

ProRodeo Sports News 9/6/2024

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