ProRodeo Sports News - September 16, 2022

CINCH PLAYOFFS PUYALLUP, WASH.

Jorgensen flexes muscles in win The final four sudden-death round in steer wrestling at the Cinch Playoffs was gushing with talent. Ty Erickson was the 2019 PRCAWorld Champion, Dakota Eldridge won the average at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in 2015 and 2017. Kyle Irwin has made five trips to the NFR and then there was Stetson Jorgensen with three trips to the NFR. In the star-studded field, Jorgensen walked away the champion with his 3.9-second run. Jorgensen just edged

Eldridge and Irwin, who tied for second with 4.0-second runs. Jorgensen earned $13,000 for the win and $14,800 at the rodeo, which catapulted him to the top of the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $137,377. “This is awesome,” said Jorgensen, 29. “At the end of the year to get a big check like this means a lot,” said the 6-foot, 200-pound Jorgensen. “This just puts me more in the front seat where I want to be.” A year ago, Jorgensen finished 12th in the world standings and in 2020 he finished a career-best second. Jorgensen cemented his place in the four-man sudden round by placing first in the eight-man semifinals with a 3.7-second run. “My strategy in the final four was to not back off,” Jorgensen said. “Green lights are going, and you try and get the best start you can.” Jorgensen of Blackfoot, Idaho, was aboard his standout horse, Mable, 12. “Coming off a win like this, this is my last rodeo of the regular season, and I’m going to go home and get ready for the (Wilderness) Circuit Finals and then get ready for the (NFR). Coming off a big win like this, my confidence is sky high and I’m going to keep rolling with it.” For most of the season, bull rider Trey Holston flew under the radar. Well, by the time the Cinch Playoffs finished on Sept. 11, he was squarely in the mix to make his Wrangler NFR debut. When the four riders in the final four – Garrett Smith, Conner Murnion, Ky Hamilton, and Holston each failed to make the whistle – Holston was awarded the overall victory, thanks to his 77.5-point semifinal winning ride on Bridwell Pro Rodeos’ Louisiana Lightning. “That’s not how I wanted to go out (not riding in the finals) by any means, but I just take what I can get,” Holston said. “It just shows you sometimes you are on one end of the stick and sometimes you are on the other. (Sept. 11) I was on top, and it worked out well and I’m very thankful.” With the win he moved up to fifth in the world standings with $117,718. “This time of year (a win like this) means a little bit more because we are on a steady grind,” said Holston, 23. “We really have to dedicate ourselves to our end goals. I took the week off (before the Cinch Playoffs) and nourished my mind and body and it worked out well. For this to end up this way, it shows that my process paid off, which was really exciting. This left no doubt that I would make the NFR, which means everything to me.” And Holston isn’t shying away from the bright lights of Vegas. “To be a PRCAWorld Champion is my next goal,” he said. “As cool as it is to make the NFR, I can’t let it overwhelmme. I can’t wait to be there for 10 of the greatest days of rodeo and have a shot to be a world champion.”

Dave Thomas photo Steer wrestler Stetson Jorgensen jumped to the top of the PRCA | RAM World Standings by winning the Cinch Playoffs. Jorgensen won the final four round with a 3.9-second run.

The RAMWilderness Circuit Finals Rodeo is Nov. 4-5 in Heber City, Utah. The 2022Wrangler NFR is Dec. 1-10 in Las Vegas. “I’m super excited to go back to the NFR,” Jorgensen said. Bull rider Trey Holston stays on hot streak

Kent Soule photo Bull rider Trey Holston, 23, solidified his Wrangler NFR debut by capturing the title at the Cinch Playoffs.

ProRodeo Sports News 9/16/2022

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