ProRodeo Sports News - Dec. 21, 2018

STEER WRESTLING WORLD CHAMPION

Steer wrestler Tyler Waguespack had a

5.1-second time in Round 10 that vaulted him to the world championship and average title. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Phil Doyle

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Phil Doyle

by $4,389 over regular-season leader Curtis Cassidy. The X-factor for Waguespack was him leading the average while Cassidy was tied for 11th and out of the average money. Essentially, what it amounted to for Waguespack, who was the last guy to go out, is he needed to catch his steer in Round 10 to secure a world title because he would finish no worse than third in the average and earn at least $43,154. “I knew after the ninth round if I could go in and win the average that the world title would take care of itself,” he said. “I was just making sure to go out there and make a good, solid run in the last round and get the job done.” That’s what he did. Waguespack’s 5.1-second run didn’t place in Round 10, but it clinched the average crown and powered him to the world championship by $43,251 over second-place Bridger Chambers, who was competing in his first Wrangler NFR. Waguespack acknowledged he’s come a long way since joining the PRCA in 2012 and making his Wrangler NFR debut in 2015, when he finished 11th in the world standings.

“I’ve grown tons just since 2015 when I was first here at theThomas & Mack Center,” said the 6-foot-1, 190-pound world champion. “I just have more confidence in this building, and that helped me out a bunch. Your nerves are still going everywhere, but experience dang sure gives you the upper hand.” Waguespack also was quick to credit his horsepower provided by Scooter, the two-time PRCA | AQHAHorse of the Year for steer wrestling. The horse is owned by his traveling partners Tyler Pearson, the 2017 PRCA Steer Wrestling World Champion, and Kyle Irwin, a four-time Wrangler NFR qualifier. Waguespack also travels with Ty Erickson, who has qualified for the last five Wrangler NFRs. At the Wrangler NFR, Scooter also took Pearson to an outright victory in Round 2 and a first-place split in Round 7. Scooter also helped Erickson to the win in Round 9. “Horsepower is a blessing in this event,” Waguespack said. “The better horse, the better you can perform. My traveling partners also help me a ton. We feed off one another.”

ProRodeo Sports News 12/21/2018

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