Adams Secures Trip to Kissimmee at RFFCF
HARRISBURG, Pa.- As recent history will show, bull rider Mike Adams has been a consistent pawn within his circuit. At the RAM First Frontier Circuit Finals Rodeo, Adams called checkmate.
As the only cowboy to cover his allotment of bulls, Adams rode to a winning score of 236.5 points on three head. The 25-year-old not only won the average at the RFFCFR, but by placing no worse than second in all three rounds, Adams was rewarded with a total payout of $7,956. Naturally, the Pennsylvanian was jubilant following his triumph.
“It’s awesome,” Adams said. “I came in just barely qualifying because of an injury, so let alone making the finals and then winning it was nice.”
The injury was a broken collarbone Adams suffered earlier in the 2017 season, forcing him to press his luck. Just three weeks after surgery, Adams returned to riding bulls, as he managed to narrowly reach the minimum number of rodeos to qualify for the RFFCFR. Overcoming such early season adversity, the 2013 RFFCFR champion found his center.
“I haven’t been (riding bulls) as long compared to most guys, but I’ve finally figured out what works for me,” Adams said. “Just being way more relaxed. Once you’ve been to the finals a few times, I honestly believe it’s just another rodeo, instead of just trying to tell myself it is.”
Entering the Jan. 13 final round, Adams and eventual all-around champion Daylon Swearingen were locked in a duel for the bull riding average. Swearingen was bucked off, opening the door for Adams. His 74.5-point ride in the concluding go-round clinched the win and a trip to the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo in Kissimmee, Fla., in April.
“I’m very excited (to go to Kissimmee),” Adams said. “The last few years, I’ve been focusing on other things, so I haven’t really made it a top, top priority to be there. I’m glad to be back this coming year. Each year I’ve been there, I’ve gotten closer and closer to winning it, so hopefully this is the year I win it.”
The 2017 schedule marked Adams’ most frugal year on the rodeo trail. His $13,831 in winnings was his highest season total since receiving his PRCA card in 2013. Now, with his 2018 campaign off to a scintillating start, Adams believes good things are on the horizon.
“It just keeps the ball rolling,” Adams said. “All I have to do is not change anything. I just need to keep doing what I’m doing and I look forward to 2018 for sure.”
Other winners at the $178,784 rodeo were all-around cowboy Daylon Swearingen ($10,005, bareback riding and bull riding), bareback rider James Carter (237 points on three head), steer wrestler Joe Brown (16.5 seconds on three head), team ropers Eric Fabian/Jake Edwards (18.2 seconds on three head), saddle bronc rider Joe Farren (230 points on three head), tie-down roper Carmine Nastri (34.2 seconds on three head) and barrel racer Christina Mulford (44.24 seconds on three runs).
For more coverage of the RAM First Frontier Circuit Finals, check out the Jan. 19 issue of the ProRodeo Sports News.
Courtesy of PRCA