ProRodeo Sports News - October 13, 2023

COWBOY GRILLE WITH TANNER BARTH

Cooper Freeman made his impact felt during his Resistol Rookie season in ProRodeo. The Carthage, Mo., team roping heeler struck paydirt late in the month of June. Freeman and header Mason Appleton finished tied for second at the Greeley (Colo.) Stampede and pocketed $10,881 for their performance at the PRCA Playoff Series rodeo. Freeman finished third in the running for the Resistol Rookie of the Year award with $42,801.

COOPER FREEMAN

How’d you get your start in rodeo? Cooper: My mom and dad own an indoor arena in Missouri. So, I’ve always been around the sport of rodeo. I started roping at a really young age and it’s something I’ve wanted to do since I was a young kid. When did you know you could make a career out of the sport of rodeo? Cooper: I don’t know if there was ever for sure a yes or no moment for me. It’s a lot of peoples dream to do this as a career. I figured I would give it a try and see how it goes. Why did you decide team roping would be your event? Cooper: Team roping is what my dad and his family did growing up. It’s what I’ve always done, I’ve never really done anything else events wise. Who’s someone you look up to in the sport of rodeo?

Cooper: My hero would probably have to be Jade Corkill. Just because of the time, the effort, and everything he’s put into the sport and how much he’s got out of it. That’s something that I really look up to and what I want to do myself. What’s one rodeo you want to win before your career is over? Cooper: That’s an easy one for me, I really want to win Pendleton (Ore.). I got to go to it this year and that’s the coolest rodeo I’ve ever been to. What have you learned during your rookie season? Cooper: You have the small things like learning how to enter and which rodeos to go to. But the biggest thing I learned was how to take care of business. Whenever it’s time to have fun, have fun, but whenever it’s time to take care of business bare down and do whatever it takes to get it taken care of. Why did you decide to buy your PRCA card at this point in your career? Cooper: I decided to buy it this year because I had a good partner, and we were both on the same page. We were both on kind of the same timeline and it made a lot of sense. What’s your most memorable moment this season?

Cooper: I think it would probably have to be roping in Greeley, Colo. It was our first big three header rodeo. We placed in both rounds and had a really good callback in the finals. That was an eye opener for us that we really did have a chance against some of these teams. What’s your favorite restaurant? Cooper: My mom and dad own a restaurant in Missouri called Lucky J Steakhouse & Arena, so that’s probably what I should answer. Do you have a favorite sports team?

Cooper: No, I don’t have a favorite, I don’t watch many sports outside of rodeo actually.

What was the make and model of the first vehicle you drove? Cooper: It was a 2021 Dodge RAM 3500. What’s your favorite TV show or series? Cooper: I’ve been watching a lot of the TV show S.W.A.T. here recently. What’s your favorite nonalcoholic drink? Cooper: I would probably have to go with sweet tea. It’s hard to beat that’s for sure. What’s your favorite holiday? Cooper: I would have to say Christmas because everybody is always in the Christmas spirit. You get to spend a lot of time with your family, and it just seems like a relaxing holiday for us. What type of music do you like listening to? Cooper: I listen to any kind of country music there is. What do you enjoy doing in your downtime from rodeo? Cooper: I like hunting, fishing, and roping. That’s about it for me if I’m being honest.

ProRodeo Sports News 10/13/2023

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