Hi Everyone,
We are closing the gap between spring and summer! As the spring run winds down, everyone is gearing up for summer madness. I know, for me personally, it means the closing of school for the year. It means being able to shift my focus more to inside the arena than the classroom. I am actually signed up to take an online course this summer to knock out some credits toward my eventual graduation, but it will be a much easier workload than hours in a classroom on campus. It’ll give me something to do when driving around to rodeos and ropings, or just hanging by the pool. I love the summertime. It’s the warm summer nights at jackpot roping arenas all over. It’s often the visiting and reuniting of friends.
As I got the weekly Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Press Release yesterday, I got to looking at the standings more critically. While there is obviously a good chance individuals who aren’t on the radar at this point will end up qualifying to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo come December, there is some shape taking place. We have seen it time and time again- guys who don’t have anything won when Reno comes around- go on to make the NFR. Last year, Luke Branquinho hadn’t won much until Reno and went on to win the Gold Buckle. Two years ago we saw Jake Barnes and Walt Woodard start and Reno and win everything from there on out to make the NFR. Just a heads up, those two guys are reuniting at Reno on this year.
Some people were caught up that Trevor Brazile wasn’t on top of the All-Around Standings at the start of the year, but of course that didn’t last. I don’t think there is any arguing that he can’t be outdone over the course of a year at this point in time. While he and his team roping partner, Patrick Smith, haven’t won as much as they’d have liked so far this year, there is no need to panic. They will rise. Trevor appears to be back in the tie-down roping, sitting in the fifth position. He’s also ninth in the steer roping.
Something neat to follow is JoJo LeMond in the steer roping. After winning San Antonio, he’s second in the world and looking for his first National Finals Steer Roping qualification. Looking good thus far.
There’s a solid group of guys looking to make their first trip to the big show. Second and third in the team roping standings on both sides (Heading and Heeling) would be NFR Rookies if they’re to make it. Landon McClaugherty and Drew Horner on the heading side. Tommy Zuniga and Buddy Hawkins III on the heeling side. McClaugherty is also a calf roper, and sits second to Trevor in the All-Around. In the tie-down roping the charge is being led by Sterling Smith. He’s never made the NFR, but is super talented. He’ll get his first felt back number to Vegas this year. Cade Swor has been to the NFR four times, but has been off the road for the last few years. He’s back this year, sitting fourth in the world right now.
The new team of Kaleb Driggers and Travis Graves didn’t take long to hit it off. They both now lead the world standings in the heading and heeling, respectively. Clay Tryan and Jade Corkill have also been winning consistently since pairing up. Justin Davis and Clay O’Brien Cooper were also one of the most winning teams this spring, moving both guys into the top ten in the world standings.
It is way too early to make any large predictions when it comes to the top 15 in Las Vegas, but it's fun to keep an eye on.
As for me, I’ve been working at ending the Cal Poly Spring Quarter strong and roping quite a bit. I was fortunate enough to announce the Fourth Annual James Pickens Jr. Foundation Charity Roping again in April. That’s always such a great roping for everyone involved and helps a great cause. I called the action at the Western States Bucking Bull Association’s Central Coast Shootout in Paso Robles earlier this month as well. There is a lot to learn behind the microphone, but it’s a lot of fun. In the middle of June, I’ll be calling the action in one of the arenas at the National Jr. High School Finals Rodeo in Gallup, New Mexico for the first few days. I’m looking forward to all the new, exciting opportunities.
Hope this finds all of you doing well. Keep it up. Thanks for taking the time to check this blog out at Roperssportsnews.com.
Lane Santos-Karney