ProRodeo Sports News - September 21, 2018

in the hunt

Rodeo during the first week of the 2018 season. The lack of first-place finishes didn’t make it an unsuccessful season, as Wyatt and Porter placed third in the finals at San Antonio, winning $25,383 each. “It kind of got everything heading in the right direction,” Porter said. They got another boost in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., where they won $7,332. The duo picked up $2,554 at Walla Walla, Wash., and $1,921 at Ellensburg, Wash. The Wrangler NFR wasn’t on his mind until after Ellensburg. That’s when the Las Vegas dream GARRETTTRIBBLE, BULL RIDER ($158 ahead as of Sept. 17) Tribble broke the bubble from Sept. 10-17, going from $1,140 on the outside looking in to 15th place and $158 ahead of 16th in bull riding. It’s still anyone’s game, but Tribble’s ready for a return to Las Vegas after ranking 13th in 2016 and 22nd in 2017. “I’ve been there once, so I know I can do it again,” Tribble said on Sept. 11, just a few days before breaking the bubble. “I’ve been sitting in the Top 15 all year, but you have to keep winning because everyone else is winning.” started to feel like a potential reality. “We started pecking away and got in the hunt,” Porter said. “We have a handful of rodeos left, so we’ll try to do the best we can on each steer – just let our hair down and go at them.” The 21-year-old is on the verge of making a return to Las Vegas thanks to wins at some of the season’s biggest competitions, such as San Antonio and a co-title at the Red Bluff (Calif.) Round-Up. “It’s been pretty good since then (San Antonio) but it’s getting tough now, so I need to start winning,” Tribble said. Tribble’s list of wins kept him in the Top 15 for most of the season. He entered the Top 50 on Feb. 5 and rocketed up the standings the next three weeks, jumping from 44th to sixth. He remained within the Top 15 until getting edged out Sept. 10. “This is the first time all year I’ve been out of the Top 15, and they just bumped me out,” Tribble said before rebounding back into the Top 15. “I guess I’ve got to win some money. It’s real tight there. From seventh to 20th is all within $15,000, and that’s really just a couple of rodeos.” Porter Tribble

Here’s a rundown of No. 15 in the PRCA | RAM World Standings and those within $10,000 as of Sept. 17. BAREBACK RIDING

• 15th – Wyatt Denny with $73,641 • 16th – Clint Laye, $7,727 behind STEER WRESTLING • 15th – Nick Guy with $69,911 • 16th – Cole Edge, $1,431 behind • 17th – Tanner Milan, $2,310 behind • 18th – Cameron Morman, $7,235 behind • 19th – Billy Bugenig, $9,248 behind TEAM ROPING HEADING • 15th – Lane Ivy with $61,676 • 16th – Spencer Mitchell, $12 behind • 17th – Jeff Flenniken, $2,124 behind • 18th – Josh Torres, $4,569 behind • 19th – Logan Olson, $5,568 behind • 20th – Kolton Schmidt, $6,104 behind • 21st – Coleman Proctor, $6,679 behind • 22nd – Garrett Rogers, $6,684 behind • 23rd – Andrew Ward, $7,065 behind • 24th – Brenten Hall, $7,082 behind • 25th – Jr. Dees, $7,149 behind • 26th – Paul Tierney, $9,234 behind • 27th – Cory Kidd V, $9,730 behind TEAM ROPING HEELING • 15th – Buddy Hawkins II with $58,669 • 16th – Quinn Kesler, $448 behind • 17th – Jonathan Torres, $1,562 behind • 18th – Matt Kasner, $1,631 behind • 19th – Trace Porter, $2,531 behind • 20th – Reagan Ward, $4,058 behind • 21st – Tyler McKnight, $4,066 behind • 22nd – Logan Medlin, $4,930 behind • 23rd – Blaine Vick, $6,111 behind • 24th – Patrick Smith, $7,324 behind • 25th – Cody Cowden, $7,748 behind • 26th – Tyler Worley, $8,663 behind • 27th – Ryan Motes, $9,369 behind SADDLE BRONC RIDING • 15th – Spencer Wright with $72,162 • 16th – Chase Brooks, $1,052 behind • 17th – Allen Boore, $1,300 behind • 18th – Jeremy Elshere, $3,913 behind TIE-DOWN ROPING • 15th – Ryan Jarrett with $74,526 • 16th – Sterling Smith, $6 behind • 17th – Adam Gray, $6,468 behind • 18th – Tyler Milligan, $8,868 behind • 19th – Scott Kormos, $9,495 behind STEER ROPING • 15th – Bryce Davis with $39,232 • 16th – Jim Locke, $3,284 behind • 17th – Roger Branch, $4,045 behind • 18th – Corey Ross, $5,601 behind BULL RIDING • 15th – Garrett Tribble with $90,094 • 16th – Clayton Sellars, $158 behind • 17th – Elliot Jacoby, $894 behind • 18th – Jordan Spears, $1,116 behind • 19th – J.W. Harris, $4,054 behind • 20th – Riker Carter, $8,144 behind

SPENCERWRIGHT, SADDLE BRONC RIDER ($1,052 ahead as of Sept. 17) The 2014 world champion saddle bronc rider had a different attitude about having $1,666 separating him from his third Wrangler NFR qualification on Sept. 10. “Oh, it feels good,” Wright said. “I told someone the other day that I don’t like being on the bubble, but I like it being an option. I’ve been on the bubble before. It’s interesting. It keeps you on your toes, that’s for sure.” With 20 days left in the season, Wright’s schedule was

Wright

packed. As of Sept. 12, he was heading to Abilene, Texas, and Othello, Wash., then St. George, Utah, followed by Amarillo, Texas, Texarkana, Ark., San Bernardino, Calif., and Mona, Utah. As for what he’ll do after each flight lands, that remains up in the air. His efforts quickly paid off as he broke the bubble that week, climbing into 15th place, $1,052 ahead of 16th place as of Sept. 17. “I don’t really have one (a plan),” Wright said. “I’ll just keep taking it one bronc at a time and not think about the big picture. Wright ranked 14th in 2015, 44th in 2016 and 30th in 2017. His 2018 season didn’t start heating up until July. “I had a pretty slow start to the year,” Wright said. “The Fourth of July rolled around, and things really started clicking for me. It’s been going good for me ever since. I’ve been in the zone. It seems like once you start doing good, it starts happening for a guy. As long as I can do my part, I don’t doubt I can get there (the Wrangler NFR).” Wright broke into the Top 20 during Cowboy Christmas thanks in part to winning the Eugene (Ore.) Pro Rodeo. He’s hovered around the bubble for the remainder of the summer. “I have a lot of help as far as my whole family goes, but the support of everyone helps a lot,” Wright said.

ProRodeo Sports News 9/21/2018

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