PublicationProRodeo Sports News - February 22, 2019

“I didn’t know much about (Punt Return), but it worked out pretty good,” McCraw said. After a 78-point ride on 4L &Diamond S Rodeo’s Wasted Days in the second round, McCraw needed to register a memorable ride in the finals – and he came through with the highest-scored ride of his PRCA career. “He (Chosin One) was spinning fast and it was a great bull,” said McCraw, who bought his PRCA card in September 2017. “When I saw my score (90 points), I couldn’t believe it. I was in shock.” For his performance, McCraw earned $14,910 – $8,564 for winning the average. That helped him rocket up to 11th in the Feb. 20 PRCA | RAM World Standings with $15,755. “This by far was the biggest check I’ve ever won,” McCraw said. “This will make my year a little easier because I have a comfort zone and I will not have to stress about things so much.” CARVING HIS PATH During his injury-marred rookie season in 2018 when he broke his right (riding hand) thumb, McCraw earned $3,156. McCraw’s thumb injury kept him out two months. “I came back too soon, and my thumb never got better,” the 5-foot-11, 150-pound McCraw said. “Now, finally,

at the youth rodeos my dad (Jay) put on, and it was a lot of fun. I was proud of him for winning in Fort Worth. I knew he had the ability to win it and I’m glad he did.” HITTINGTHE ROAD McCraw is traveling with Campbell, J.T. Moore, who finished second in the average in Fort Worth, Braden Richardson and Parker McCown. “We all feed off each other,” said McCraw, who enjoys hunting white- tailed deer in his spare time. “I’m super excited and I’m hoping to keep this momentum rolling. It would be unreal if I could make it to the NFR. It would be a lifelong dream accomplished. The biggest thing I need to do to get to Vegas is to stay consistent.” Campbell, who qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in 2017 and 2018, believes McCraw has top-level talent. “If he has the ability to win in Fort Worth against the best bull riders in the world, he has the ability to be in the Top 15 in the world for sure,” Campbell said. “I’m ready to go this year with him and see where things go. Hopefully we can both make it to Vegas. The advice I’ve given him is to not overthink things. I told him you’ve ridden bulls your whole life and don’t change things because you’re at a big rodeo. Keep it simple and ride the bull.”

everything is starting to come together. I feel 100 percent now. Eight seconds can be rough for sure, and it is wild. Sometimes it feels like eight minutes, but there’s nothing that can replace that rush. Fortunately, I have worked enough that my body knows what is going on when I’m riding bulls. If I can turn my mind off and relax and ride, I do a lot better.” McCraw had family members who roped a litle bit, but no one in his family rode bulls. “I wanted to ride bulls at a young age, and I just stuck with it,” McCraw said. “I started riding sheep when I was 3, and it seems like I’ve been riding bulls every weekend since. I’ve been working my whole life to be a bull rider.” That’s something fellow bull rider Boudreaux Campbell saw unfold firsthand. “Foster and I have been competing against each other ever since I can remember,” Campbell said. “He and I were always first and second

Bull rider Tate Stratton gives instructions during a PRCA Rodeo Camp in Fort Worth, Texas, Jan. 27. James Phifer photo

Complete results on Page 44

SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Sterling Crawley ....... 256 pts. on three 2. Zeke Thurston ............................... 255 3. Dawson Hay .................................. 253 4. Two tied at ..................................... 250

TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Marty Yates ............ 26.6 sec. on three 2. Clif Cooper .................................... 26.9 3. Shane Hanchey ............................. 27.6 4. Ryan Jarrett .................................. 28.1

BARREL RACING 1. Hailey Kinsel ......... 49.37 sec. on three 2. Jennifer Sharp ............................ 49.42 3. Jimmie Smith ............................. 49.64 4. Ivy Conrado ................................ 49.70

BULL RIDING 1. Foster McCraw ......... 254 pts. on three 2. J.T. Moore .................................. 250.5 3. Garrett Wickett ............... 168.5 on two 4. Joe Frost ....................................... 165

ProRodeo Sports News 2/22/2019

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