Sundell Wins San Angelo for Third Time
SAN ANGELO, Texas – The third time’s the charm for saddle bronc rider Wade Sundell as he won the San Angelo (Texas) Rodeo for the third time on Feb. 16 with 175 points on two head.
Sundell won San Angelo for the first time in 2012 with 174 points on two head. His second San Angelo win came in 2015 with 177 points on two head, thanks in part to nailing a 91-point ride on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Manhattan Moon.
“I love coming here because I’ve always had good success here and there’s a lot of electricity in that building,” Sundell said. “I love it – I’m going to keep putting my name in the hat here.”
Consistency was the secret to success for Sundell as he won the first round with an 88.5-point ride on Powder River Rodeo’s Morning Tea.
“I was just letting it hang out and was firing away and having some fun,” Sundell said. “It was one you needed in a long round to get a good score for some leeway.”
The 33-year-old cowboy went on to place second in the finals with an 86.5-point ride, which placed him 3.5 points ahead of Clay Elliott and Ryder Wright.
“The second one was a good solid one that a guy needs to show off a bit and have lots of fun,” Sundell said. “Honestly, I feel better and stronger than I had in a long time. I don’t know what it is, but I feel like a young kid again. It’s always good to be around them (the younger competition) because you feel like you’re a young kid again with them.”
All told, Sundell’s efforts at San Angelo were worth $8,182.
“It’s outstanding to get a bunch of money won in the wintertime,” Sundell said. “If you can do that, it’s always going to be a good deal for you.”
Sundell’s youngest and biggest fan was in the stands – his 3-month-old son, Rankan.
“Shoot, I’m probably going to be buying some diapers,” Sundell laughed. “It’s ridiculous how many diapers you go through.”
Up next, Sundell is heading back to the San Antonio (Texas) Stock Show & Rodeo, where he won the first, second, and third rounds in Bracket 3 for $7,134. Between his progress at just these two iconic Texas rodeos so far, Sundell’s earned a grand total of $15,316.
Not counting his most-recent earnings, Sundell was already sitting at fifth in the 2018 PRCA World Standings with $14,594 as he seeks an eighth qualification for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Sundell competed at the WNFR every year from 2009-15.
“I’ll just keep entering up and keep rocking and rolling and let them all fall into place,” Sundell said.
Other winners at the $452,991 rodeo were bareback rider Logan Cortbett (176 points on two head); steer wrestler Jacob Talley (11.5 seconds on three head); team ropers Clay Smith/Paul Eaves (14.1 seconds on three head); tie-down roper Blane Cox (23.7 seconds on three head); barrel racer Amberleigh Moore (44.15 seconds on three head); and bull rider Trey Benton III (180.5 points on two head).
For more coverage of the San Angelo Rodeo, check out the digital edition of ProRodeo Sports News at prorodeo.com on Feb. 23.
Courtesy of PRCA