Costa Grabs Huge Win in Puyallup
PUYALLUP, Wash. – A star-studded tie-down roping field Sunday at the Justin Boots Playoffs at the Washington State Fair didn’t faze Marcos Costa.
The 23-year-old cowboy bested 11 other cowboys, including gold buckle winners Ryan Jarrett, Cody Ohl and Tuf Cooper, with a time of 15.8 seconds on two head at the Puyallup Main Grandstand.
“I had some good luck and I drew a solid calf, and God blessed me,” Costa said. “I knew when I drew that calf that I would have a chance to win first (Sunday), and fortunately I was able to make a good run. I don’t have a word to describe how great this feels to win here.”
Consistency is what powered Costa in Puyallup. He had an 8.4-second time in the first round, which was good for a tie for third. Costa then secured the coveted win with a 7.4-second effort in the finals, which also was second best in that round. The rodeo took place from Sept. 5-7.
“For the last couple of weeks I have not been drawing real well, but now things are coming around, and that’s amazing,” Costa said. “This was a big win for me. I’m living my dream.”
For his stellar performance, Costa pocketed $8,668, the bulk of which – $5,495 – which came from winning the average. Randall Carlisle was second in the average with a time of 16.1 seconds.
Costa was 29th in the Sept. 2 Windham Weaponry High Performance PRCA World Standings with $36,966 in winnings.
“I started the season a little late in March, but this win will help me,” Costa said. “It is just so amazing.”
The other winners at the $267,711 playoffs were all-around cowboy Steven Dent ($1,575, bareback riding and saddle bronc riding), steer wrestler Kyle Irwin (7.4 seconds on two head), team ropers Luke Brown and Kollin VonAhn and Dustin Bird and Paul Eaves (9.9 seconds on two head each), saddle bronc rider Tyrell Smith (168.5 points on two head), barrel racer Jennifer Kalafatic (29.58 seconds on two runs) and bull rider Cody Teel (167.5 points on two head).
Teel and Guthrie Murray, who finished with 141 points, were the only bull riders to ride two bulls in the 12-man field.
Courtesy of PRCA