Ag Teacher Reed Kraeger Wins Rapid City
Going back to school on Monday is going to be a little harder than usual for steer wrestler Reed Kraeger.
About two weeks after fall semester began, the Elwood (Neb.) High School Ag/FFA teacher won the Range Days Rodeo in Rapid City, S.D., Aug. 29.
“It can be hard to come back in the fall,” Kraeger said. “I’ve had a nice August and didn’t want to go back to school because of that, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do.”
For the University of Nebraska alumnus, that means being at the high school at 6 a.m. for students to have open weightlifting. He also teaches animal science, natural resources, woodworking and welding for grades 7-12.
Perhaps that extra gym time paid off, as Kraeger posted a 3.3-second run to win Rapid City and take home $2,875.
“This year you have to get a good cow, I mean especially with the way this year has gone,” Kraeger said. “I know guys repeat it over and over, but it’s true; there were no layups this year at any point, and it’s no different now than it was in July.”
With dreams of winning a world title on his mind, Kraeger is eager to compete full time, but school comes first.
“I made a deal with my wife (Rebekah) that I would teach for four years and get a chunk of my student loans forgiven, but then I finished in the Top 50 last year and was wanting to just go,” Kraeger said. “She and I decided I’d teach for a year and get the loans mostly forgiven, then focus on rodeo and come back to teaching when we decide my rodeo career is at a plateau, so to speak.”
Kraeger has successfully juggled teaching and ProRodeo since graduating from Nebraska in 2017, climbing as high as 44th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings in 2019 with $35,044.
Before his Rapid City win, Kraeger was in nearly the same position as last year, sitting at 45th in the 2020 world standings and fifth in the Badlands Circuit Standings for steer wrestling.
“Every win matters, and Rapid City is one of the bigger ones in my circuit,” Kraeger said. “If there’s such a thing as a bucket list I’d want to win every rodeo, but Rapid City is a special one to win.”
With one month left in the 2020 regular season, Kraeger’s focused on building his qualifications for next season.
“I can’t even explain how hard it is to go back to teaching,” said Kraeger, 25. “I love the kids and would do anything for them, but I want to worry about me for a while and try to make the Finals (Wrangler National Finals Rodeo) and get a world championship like anyone else going.”
Other winners at the $123,658 rodeo were bareback riders Taylor Broussard (83 points on Burch Rodeo’s Friendly Skies), Richmond Champion (83 points on Burch Rodeo’s Sunday Service), Shane O’Connell (83 points on Burch Rodeo’s Strawberry Rocket) and Cole Reiner (83 points on Korkow Rodeos’ Ringworm); team ropers Clay Tryan/Jake Long (4.4 seconds); saddle bronc riders Logan Cook (86 points on Burch Rodeo’s Lunatic From Hell) and Stetson Wright (86 points on Burch Rodeo’s Maria Bartiromo); tie-down roper Ben Robinson (8.0 seconds); barrel racer Maggie Poloncic (17.07 seconds); and bull rider Denton Fugate (86 points on Burch Rodeo’s G Easy).
Courtesy of PRCA