Three-Time Wrangler NFR Team Roping Qualifier Quinn Kesler Passes Away

Quinn Kesler, a three-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier – twice as a heeler in 2016 and 2018 and once as a header in 2021 – passed away Feb. 26. He was 30.

The Holden, Utah, cowboy roped with header Matt Sherwood in 2016 – splitting the Round 3 win (4.5 seconds) and capturing Round 7 outright with a 4.1-second run. They placed in three rounds and came in eighth in the average. Kesler finished eighth in the world standings with $145,907.

Kesler returned to the NFR in 2018 with header Rhen Richard. They placed in two rounds and finished sixth in the average. Kesler was 15th in the world standings with $109,637.

After a two-year absence, Kesler qualified for the NFR again but in 2021 it was as a header and his partner was Joseph Harrison. They placed in three rounds – highlighted by two second-place finishes in Round 4 (4.4 seconds) and Round 6 (3.9 seconds). Kesler placed 13th in the world standings with $125,526.

Cowboys qualifying for the NFR both as a header and heeler is quite an accomplishment since he joined a list, which included ProRodeo Hall of Famers – Trevor Brazile and Speed Williams.

Kelser’s primary partner in 2021 was Caleb Hendrix and he helped Hendrix win PRCA Resistol Rookie of the Year as a Team Roping Heeler.

Kesler also was the 2015 PRCA Resistol Rookie of the Year as a Team Roping Heeler, finishing 16th in the world standings.

While competing in the Wilderness Circuit, Kelser qualified for the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo in 2016 and 2019 as a heeler and 2020 and 2021 as a header. He also qualified for the NFR Open powered by RAM as a header in 2022.

Kesler, who bought his PRCA card in 2015, earned $615,325 in his career. Prior to joining the PRCA, Kesler was a three-time Utah high school state champion in team roping in 2009-11. He also was a four-time qualifier for the National High School Finals Rodeo.

Kesler is survived by his wife, Jessie and their daughter, Quincy, 2.

Courtesy of PRCA