For the Record: Jake Cooper Looks Back on Reno Roping Record
Jake Cooper has put together plenty of impressive roping performances over his career, but there’s a run in Reno, Nev., he’ll never forget.
Cooper and heeler Tyler McKnight clocked a 4.0-second run, which tied the team roping rodeo record at the Reno Rodeo. Colter Todd and Cesar de la Cruz previously set the record in 2008.
“We had a really good steer, we knew him, I got a great start and roped him pretty fast,” Cooper said. “Tyler’s known for his fast heel shot, so it just kind of all worked out. I didn’t realize we were that fast until we looked at the clock.”
The Monument, N.M., cowboy will have another shot at the record books in Reno this year. He is scheduled to rope with partner Lane Mitchell on Sunday, June 10.
“I love Reno, it’s probably my favorite rodeo besides the NFR,” said Cooper, who’s qualified for the National Finals Rodeo three times (2007, 2015, 2019). “It just kind of signifies starting the summer run and just getting to rodeo. It’s the best time of the year for us, when we get to go to a good rodeo every day.”
The Reno Rodeo will be broadcast live on The Cowboy Channel and streamed on the PRCA on Cowboy Channel Plus App at 10 p.m. (ET).
Reno Rodeo Records
• Total payout: $547,065, 2002
• All-around: $15,659, Trevor Brazile, 2003
• Bareback riding: 90 points, Larry Sandvick, 1998; Royce Ford, 2005
• Steer wrestling: 3.1 seconds, Walt Linderman, 1963 (12.0/3, Gabe Ledoux, 2010)
• Team roping: 4.0 seconds, Colter Todd/Cesar de la Cruz, 2008; Jake Cooper/Tyler McKnight, 2016 (15.9/3, Keven Daniel/Chase Tryan, 2013)
• Saddle bronc riding: 92 points, Wade Sundell, 2019
• Tie-down roping: 7.2 seconds, Scott Kormos, 2013 (24.3/3, Clint Cooper, 2013)
• Barrel racing: 16.73 seconds, Terri Kaye Kirkland, 2006 (51.11/3, Mary Burger, 2008; Lindsay Sears, 2009)
• Bull riding: 95 points, Clint Branger, 1997; Shane Drury, 2001; Myron Duarte, 2002
Courtesy of PRCA