ProRodeo Sports News - Dec. 21, 2018

PRCA ROOKIES

OF THE YEAR

Up and coming cowboys Tanner Green leads group of the year’s top rookies

TOP 2018 ROOKIES BY EVENT ALL-AROUND Tanner Green Cotulla, Texas $52,394 BAREBACK RIDING Zach Hibler Wheeler, Texas $42,877 STEER WRESTLING Brendan Laye Consort, Alberta, Canada $30,767 TEAM ROPING HEADER Jeff Flenniken Caldwell, Idaho $61,826 TEAM ROPING HEELER Ross Ashford Lott, Texas $26,817 SADDLE BRONC RIDING Dawson Hay Wildwood, Alberta, Canada $39,605 TIE-DOWN ROPING Ty Harris San Angelo, Texas $62,752 STEER ROPING Chance Gasperson Decatur, Texas $10,243

BY MATT NABER M aking it to the top of the PRCA | Resistol Rookie Standings is a yearlong process that cowboys only get one shot at achieving. As this year’s newest competitors in the PRCA chose which of the approximately 650 competitions to enter alongside some of today’s top cowboys in professional rodeo, they were also racing for the coveted title of Rookie of the Year. Tanner Green , 20, won the All-Around Rookie of the Year title by raking in $52,394 in team roping and tie-down roping. The Texan grandson of ProRodeo Hall of Famer Phil Lyne was thrilled to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps. Winning Bareback Riding Rookie of the Year felt like a stepping stone to a successful career for Zach Hibler. The 21-year-old fromWheeler, Texas, won $42,877 in 2018.

Tanner Green in action at the Goliad County Fair PRCA Rodeo in Texas on March 18. William Kierce photo

won it in 1989. The 20-year-old Albertan cowboy won $39,605. “I thought it would be cool to share that same award,” Dawson Hay said. “It was a fight all year, and to get it wrapped up was pretty cool.” Tie-down roper Ty Harris , 20, claimed the rookie title as well as $62,752 in 2018. “It gave me some confidence going into this year knowing I can rope with the best and it gives me some confidence and drive to go and do even better this year,” Harris said. “I want to be the best roper I can be and have the most success I can each year. Rodeo is a tough sport and it’s hard and I want to enjoy the process. I’m blessed to live this life that not many get to live.” Timing is everything inside and outside the arena when working toward Steer Roping Rookie of the Year. Texas cowboy Chance Gasperson, 28, pulled it off with $10,243 in 2018. Clayton Sellars’ rookie year was so successful it nearly landed him a qualification to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. The Florida cowboy won $90,863. “It makes me feel like I’m on track and bumped my goals up more and a hair higher,” said Sellars, 20.

“I went to a lot of the bigger rodeos this year and it was a great experience to learn how they work and compete with the best guys in the PRCA and the best horses,” Hibler said. “It pushed me to be a better bareback rider.” Canadian steer wrestler Brendan Laye utilized his years of experience in the Great White North to win $30,767 and claim the Steer Wrestling Rookie of the Year title. The 28-year-old felt like 2018 was his year to try his luck south of the 49th parallel and now he’s looking forward to more PRCA competitions. Idaho cowboy Jeff Flenniken won the heated race for Team Roping Heading Rookie of the Year after spending most of the season going back and forth with Brenten Hall. Flenniken, 22, earned $61,826 in 2018 and is set to rope alongside Jake Minor in 2019. Competition was less intense for Team Roping Heeling Rookie of the Year as it only took $26,817 for Texas cowboy Ross Ashford to claim the title. “It’s given me confidence to know I can compete with some of these guys,” said Ashford, 20. The Saddle Bronc Riding Rookie of the Year title is a family legacy for Dawson Hay, as his father (Rod Hay)

BULL RIDING Clayton Sellars Fruitlandpark, Fla. $90,863

ProRodeo Sports News 12/21/2018

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