ProRodeo Sports News - September 21, 2018

Spencer Wright, the 2014 world champion saddle bronc rider, was on the bubble on Sept. 12 and broke into the Top 15 on Sept. 17. Now he needs to keep up the pace to make his third Wrangler NFR qualification. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Larry Smith

BY MATT NABER W hen the Sept. 10, 2018, PRCA | RAMWorld Standings were announced, cowboys had 20 days to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. With the regular season ending Sept. 30, all it takes is one or two solid wins to break the bubble and get into the Top 15 to qualify for the Finals. For many cowboys, a chance at making it into the Top 15 remained a possibility – but they’ll have to win some big checks at the season’s remaining rodeos. TRACE PORTER,TEAM ROPING HEELER ($2,531 behind on Sept. 17) The suspense is particularly heightened for the 26-year- old, Louisiana cowboy because he has a chance to make his first Wrangler NFR qualification after eight years of PRCA competition. On Sept. 10, Porter found himself in 16th place in the world standings, just $900 outside the Top 15. A week later, the team roping heeler had fallen to 19th. Meanwhile, his roping partner, NelsonWyatt, had a lot more ground to make up, ranking 30th among the headers with $11,095 separating him from the Top 15 as of Sept. 17. “I wish it wasn’t like this, and I wish I had it already made instead of waiting until the last second,” Porter said Sept. 11. “I’m ready to go now, I want to run every steer now – I don’t like this waiting game.” As of Sept. 10, the only rodeo he had won was a tie at the Leesville (La.) Lions Club FINALSWATCH

On the Bubble Cowboys on cusp of Top 15 race to finish line

ProRodeo Sports News 9/21/2018

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