“World Champion” is the most coveted title in ProRodeo. The sport’s world champions are crowned at the conclusion of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, based on total season earnings at PRCA rodeos across the continent, including monies earned at the Wrangler NFR. The PRCA crowns eight world titlists; each receives a gold buckle and a specially crafted trophy saddle.
The sport of rodeo runs deep in the Fritzlan family. Colten Fritzlan of Rifle is a fourth-generation cowboy. Long-time Rangely residents John and Jean Kenney are excitedly traveling to Texas this week to watch their grandson, Colten, compete in his very first National Finals Rodeo. The 2018 Rifle High School graduate is ranked 10th in the world for the bull riding competition. Fritzlan, 20, started riding steers at 7 years old and at 9 years old he was already bucking bulls. The athlete competed in Little Britches Association, middle school, and high school rodeos growing up in Rifle.
This up-and-comer is one to watch. Four-time World Champion Tuff Hedeman took notice of the rookie in November along with others singing his praises. Fritzlan’s 2020 career highlights were winning the Sandhills Stock Show and Rodeo (Odessa, Texas) and the Killdeer (North Dakota) Mountain Roundup PRCA Rodeo. Currently the PRCA website reports that Fritzlan has won just over $58,000 this year.
The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) has moved to Texas for 2020. Arlington’s Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers, will host the Wrangler NFR 2020 — the first non-baseball event at this venue. The Wrangler NFR 2020 will take place Dec. 3-12, 2020, and fans can follow official PRCA updates throughout the event at www.prorodeo.com. You can also tune into The Cowboy Channel (TCC) or RFD-TV.
The performances will also be streamed on the PRCA on Cowboy Channel Plus app. The PRCA on Cowboy Channel Plus app users will be able to stream events both live and recorded.
By ROXIE FROMANG | Special to the Herald Times
Please check the spelling of the Fritzlan name in the article. It’s spelled two different ways. I went to school with the some of the Fritzlan family back in 1975.
A great group of people and Rodeo in in their blood.
Thank you Virg, we found the type in the captions and corrected it.