ProRodeo Sports News - Dec. 21, 2018

RAM NATIONAL

CIRCUIT FINALS

Bucket List Olson/Kasner hit the road after RAM NCFR team roping title

FLOYD CHECKS OFF RAM NCFR TITLE FROM BUCKET LIST In terms of his rodeo career, the 2017 season was a successful one for steer wrestler Chason Floyd. And he rode that momentum into the early part of 2018. After qualifying for his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in December 2017, the South Dakota cowboy rode into the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, Fla., and rode out with a 2018 RAMNCFR title. On the strength of an 8.8-second, two-head average, the 28-year-old managed to sneak into the RAMNCFR short round with a 4.8-second run in the semifinals as the last cowboy in. During the April 8 short go, Floyd found his groove. Clocking in at 4.2 seconds in his final run, Floyd squeaked ahead of fellow steer wrestler Bridger Chambers by 0.1 seconds to win his first RAM NCFR title. “It’s a bucket-list thing,” Floyd said. “Everybody wants this. I mean, it feels good. It’s awesome that it counts for the world standings and to get a good start and to see what this year brings.” This year has brought a reminder that Floyd is among the best steer wrestlers in the world. With a win at January’s Rodeo Rapid City (S.D.) already on his early season résumé, Floyd picked up a $17,057 check for his work in Kissimmee, and as of April 16, he was sixth in the 2018 PRCA | RAMWorld Standings with $33,946.

BY SCOTT KANIEWSKI L ogan Olson and Matt Kasner prefer sticking around and roping in the Badlands Circuit. The year-end champions of that circuit didn’t discuss before the RAMNational Circuit Finals Rordeo what would happen if they were to leave Kissimmee with shiny, new buckles around their waists. They should have. Olson and Kasner won the semifinals in 5.4 seconds, then came right back with another 5.4-second run to tie for first in the finals of the RAM NCFR with Clay Smith and Paul Eaves. Olson and Kasner were awarded the buckle because their semifinals run was faster. All told, the team ropers cashed in for $20,090 apiece over the April 5-8 rodeo. More importantly, they took home their first RAMNCFR titles. “Man, this means a lot,” said team roping heeler Kasner, 43. “It’s such a big rodeo. For guys like us that don’t rodeo full time anymore, this is kind of our NFR, our big deal. The money is phenomenal.” Making sure they caught their steers in the first two rounds was all the two were concerned about before worrying about the semifinals. “This deal, the first two rounds, man, do your job,” said Olson, 38. “You don’t have to be too gutsy. If you just get your first two down, then build from there. Get the momentum rolling. If you have your momentum rolling coming into today (Sunday), then you’re comfortable, you’re confident. It builds from there.”

ProRodeo Sports News 12/21/2018

ProRodeo.com

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