ProRodeo Sports News - September 2, 2022

XTREME BRONCS RAPID CITY, S.D.

Cress wins Xtreme Bronc Finals for second time Xtreme Win

BY BRADY RENCK, Special to ProRodeo Sports News B rody Cress makes no excuses. There is no room when chasing championships. So, when he fell into a slump this summer, amplified by a shoulder injury that knocked him out for a couple of weeks, the former high school wrestler fell back on a common refrain: work don’t worry. That single-mindedness has made him one of the sport’s best bronc riders. He started at 18, and now 26, he boasts three Wrangler National Finals Rodeo average titles, including last season, and five qualifications. “I hurt my shoulder in Cheyenne and that made me miss rodeos for two weeks. And I didn’t get the best draws, so I was in a slump. But it doesn’t matter, you still have to make the best with the horses you get,” Cress said. “And when you get that horse that is special, you have to do your job.” The performance he delivered on Aug. 21 at the Xtreme Broncs Finals in Rapid City, S.D., followed that script. Cress tied for eighth after the long ride, making him the last in and first to go in the short round. “I knew it was going to take something really good given the horses and the competition,” Cress said. He drew Sutton Rodeo’s South Point, knowing a title was within reach. Against a loaded field, Cress posted a 93.5-point ride, besting a group that included three other scores in the 90s at the Central State Fair at the Grandstand Arena. Cress captured the two-head average with 180 points, netting $14,382 for the finals and $23,059 for the event. Back in 2019, Cress split the win at the inaugural Xtreme Broncs Finals withWade Sundell. South Point might as well be an arrow pointing toward a victory. The winner rode him at the event for the third consecutive year. “I couldn’t have gotten a better horse. He gives you a chance every time. He had been hurt and we didn’t know if he would compete,” Cress said. “But he healed up. So, to ride a horse of that caliber, it was really hard to lose.” It represented a dramatic rally for the star. He had an 86.5-point ride on Bailey Pro Rodeo’s Capone in his first ride, placing him last among the eight cowboys to make the short round. He had ground to cover. Cress left the chute on South Point and the horse kicked its back legs violently into the air 11 times as she made her way forward. The public address announcer bellowed, “You’ve got to be kidding! Oh, my goodness!” as Cress stayed in rhythm, hopped off onto his feet and into the prize money. “You saw my reaction, throwing my arm into the air,” said Cress after setting a new arena record. “I was pumped up.” Watching Cress throw his right arm triumphantly into the air on Saturday in Rapid City, it’s not hard to see that scene repeated at this year’s NFR. “That’s always the goal. I will keep pushing and driving. I love competing and I know I am not going to do this forever,” Cress said, who credits his support system for keeping him on track as well. “There’s never enough winning. Never.”

PRCA XTREME BRONCS 2022 TOUR STANDINGS (Unofficial as of Aug. 31) 1. Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyo.. ..............$89,187 2. Sage Newman, Melstone, Mont.. ...........54,496 3. Lefty Marvel Holman, Visalia, Calif.. ......34,712 4. Wyatt Casper, Miami, Texas...................34,393 5. Ryder Wright, Beaver, Utah. ..................29,270 6. Logan James Hay, Wildwood, AB...........28,657 7. Kolby Wanchuk, Sherwood Park, AB......27,672 8. Damian Brennan, Injune, Australia.........23,564 9. Wade Sundell, Boxholm, Iowa. ..............22,630 10. Layton Green, Millarville, AB. ..............21,927 11. Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, AB..............20,913 12. Stetson Wright, Milford, Utah..............16,260 13. Logan Cook, Alto, Texas......................15,787 14. Brody Wells, Powell, Wyo....................15,353 15. Chase Brooks, Deer Lodge, Mont.........14,943

Complete results/Page 62

Clay Guardipee photo Brody Cress, far right, holds up his championship trophy after winning the Xtreme Bronc Finals and earning $23,059.

Alaina Stangle photo

Brody Cress had a 93.5-point ride on Sutton Rodeo’s South Point to win the Xtreme Bronc Finals in Rapid City, S.D., on Aug. 21.

ProRodeo Sports News 9/2/2022

ProRodeo Sports News 9/2/2022

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