PRCA for the Record: Greeley
By Matt Naber
On his way to winning his first world title, saddle bronc rider Wade Sundell made Greeley (Colo.) Stampede history in 2018 by beating a 22-year-old record that was shared by nine cowboys.
The Iowa cowboy’s 88-point ride on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Nutrena’s Red Man topped by one point the record that had been shared by Billy Etbauer (1996), Jesse Bail (2002), Mo Forbes (2002), Dan Mortensen (2004), Rod Warren (2005), Cody Wright (2008), Jeff Willert (2010), Chad Ferley (2013) and Rusty Wright (2017).
By a half-point margin, Sundell also broke the two-head average record of 172 points set by Forbes in 2002.
Sundell, 34, is an eight-time qualifier for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (2009-15 and 2018) and has won $1.8 million since his rookie year in 2007. Currently ranked 12th in the 2019 PRCA | RAM World Standings with $43,285, Sundell could surpass the $2 million career milestone this season thanks largely to winning the San Antonio (Texas) Stock Show & Rodeo in February.
Since 1953, Greeley has hosted some of the biggest names in ProRodeo, and the tradition continues June 27 through July 3 as cowboys duke it out for their share of Greeley’s prize money as well as valuable ProRodeo Tour points.
Rodeo records
• All-around: $12,413, Trevor Brazile, 2013
• Bareback riding: 89 points, Cimarron Gerke, 2004; Royce Ford, 2009; Bobby Mote, 2009; Will Lowe, 2013; Tim O’Connell, 2014; Shane O’Connell, 2017 (174/2, Tim O’Connell, 2014)
• Steer wrestling: 3.2 seconds, Swede Swanson, 1977; Mike Sanders, 1993 (7.1/2, Mark Roy, 1993; 11.7/3, Brad Gleason, 1997)
• Team roping: 4.1 seconds, Cory Kidd V/Caleb Anderson, 2018 (9.8/2, Jake Cooper/Rhen Richard, 2012; 15.7/3, Todd Arthur/Twister Cain, 1998)
• Saddle bronc riding: 88 points, Wade Sundell, 2018 (172.5/2 Wade Sundell, 2018; 163/3, Bud Clemens, 1964)
• Tie-down roping: 7.6 seconds, Raymond Hollabaugh, 1990; Fred Whitfield, 1994; Charley Russell, 2007 (16.7/2, Brent Lewis, 1993; 26.3/3, Ronnie Hyde, 1997)
• Barrel racing: 16.90 seconds, JoAnn Middleton, 1993 (34.16/2, Kristie Peterson, 1994; 51.83/3, Kristie Peterson, 2000).
• Bull riding: 91, Blaine Whipp, 2002 (176/2, Cody Hancock, 2008)
Courtesy of PRCA