ProRodeo Sports News - September 16, 2022

Hutchings gets crucial win in NFR push Heating Up BY BRADY RENCK, Special to ProRodeo Sports News T risten Hutchings declined the initial call for the interview. It had to wait. He was in the middle of college zoom class at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas. Hutchings knew midway through high school in ELLENSBURG RODEO ELLENSBURG, WASH.

TOP MONEY EARNER Stetson Wright TOP SCORES

Monteview, Idaho, that he wanted to pursue rodeo as a possible career. He played sports, loved football and wrestling – “I wasn’t doing either one professionally, though,” he admitted – but the gravitational pull of the arena grew stronger. He rode bucking horses, bulldogged, but found a home on bulls. Hutchings microwaved his development the past few years. Rodeo was supposed to be a way to pay for college. Even as he competes for the Lobos, Hutchings has positioned himself to make his first NFR. He moved into 12th place in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings with a solid fourth-place showing at the Ellensburg (Wash.) Rodeo Xtreme Bulls and first-place finish at the Ellensburg Rodeo. “Oh yeah, reaching the NFR (for the first time), that’s my No. 1 priority. It would mean a lot,” said Hutchings, who netted for $7,028 for his 165.5 points on the three heads at the Ellensburg Rodeo. “You make your own schedule, rodeo, and travel the country. What could be better?” Hutchings is living the dream, but his is a little more complicated. He remains a fulltime student and is on track to graduate from Sul Ross State in May, leaving two more collegiate seasons of competition in the fall and spring. College has been good to Hutchings, who is pursuing a degree in agriculture. “I got my classes online. I try to keep a balance. It’s hard sometimes. I had Xtreme event and had to fly back for a college rodeo. So, I was doing double time,” Hutchings said. “But I am young. I might as well finish my education. College is a great idea, and I was getting it paid for. So, I want to stick it out and finish what I started.” Hutchings owns a collegiate national title and could add another one this season. College narrowed his prism. He was a terrific high school performer in the state of Idaho, but “got my butt kicked” in national events. At Sul Ross State, he rolled up his sleeves. “I learned that hard work beats talent. There are so many good kids in college. You have to earn it,” Hutchings said. “You find out who really wants it.” Hutchings’ passion for the sport was on full display in Ellensburg Rodeo. He delivered an 86-point ride on Corey & Lange Rodeo’s Peace Out in the finals. It was a dizzying ride, featuring four full spins and a kick out as Hutchings jumped safely to his feet. “It was a lot of movement. I had to hustle. It was a big win,” Hutchings said. “I have had a lot of ups and downs this summer. I did really well in the winter, then hit some dry spells. The last couple of weeks have been my best couple of weeks. I have to stay consistent.” Hutchings, 22, was heading off to Lewiston, Idaho, after the interview. He will value his degree, but this lifestyle on the road suits him. “Riding bulls, some days it’s fun, some days it’s tough because you are tired from getting on so many of them,” Hutchings said. “When it all works right, it’s really something. You are on that bull, and it’s like dance moves. It feels awesome, you are happy and waving to the crowd. There’s nothing like it.”

($12,548, saddle bronc riding and bull riding) BAREBACK RIDING

Wright

1. Rocker Steiner............175.5 pts. on 2 2. Wyatt Denny............................. 171.5 3. Two tied at .................................. 169 STEER WRESTLING 1. J.D. Struxness............ 12.7 sec. on 3 2. Tanner Brunner........................... 13.4 3. Landris White. ............................ 13.5 TEAM ROPING 1. C. Smith/J. Long.......... 14.9 sec. on 3 2. P. Tierney/T. Braden.................... 16.3 3. T. Wade/T. Yates.......................... 16.6 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Stetson Wright. .............178 pts. on 2 2. Zeke Thurston.............................. 173 3. Statler Wright........................... 172.5 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Hunter Herrin............... 25.0 sec. on 3 2. Westyn Hughes. ......................... 25.2 3. Shane Hanchey........................... 25.8 STEER ROPING 1. Bryce Davis. ................ 27.8 sec. on 2 2. Cody Lee..................................... 28.0 3. Chet Herren. ............................... 29.5 BULL RIDING 1. Tristen Hutchings........165.5 pts. on 2 2. Ouncie Mitchell............................ 124 3. Bubba Grieg................................... 88

Complete results/Page 56

Kent Soule photo

Tristen Hutchings delivered an 86-point ride on Corey & Lang Rodeo’s Peace Out in the finals to propel himself to the Ellensburg win.

ProRodeo Sports News 9/16/2022

ProRodeo Sports News 9/16/2022

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