RANGELY | Chris LeDoux sang it best; It’s the Finals, the NFR, the Series of the sport.
Hey rookie can you take 10 head have you got the heart?
Rookie cowboys Colten Fritzlan of Rifle and Ty Wallace, originally from Collbran, Colorado, and now Oklahoma, have been cleaning house and moving up in the standings at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in the bull riding competition. Dec. 3 kicked off the 2020 NFR, held in Arlington Texas Globe Life Field for the first time ever.
Wallace came into the NFR in the ninth spot and Fritzlan in tenth. Things have drastically changed for both cowboys. Fritzlan came out of his first NFR gate strong on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s bull “Bumble Bee”, scoring an 86.5, falling in the fourth spot, and raking in $11,000. Round two did not go Fritzlan’s way. Big Stone Rodeo’s bull “Spotted Demon” got the best of the young cowboy. Things started looking up for Fritzlan in Round three when he stuck a ride on Bar T Rodeo’s bull named “Angel’s Landing”, scoring 89, winning the round, and adding $45,058 to his winnings. Wallace made his first qualified ride at the 2020 NFR and was the only other qualified ride in Round three. Wallace scored an 88.5 on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s bull “Yellowstone”. Round four treated both cowboys well, Wallace scored 89.5 on Hi Lo ProRodeo’s “Lipps” and took the round.
Fritzlan scored an 85.5 on Corey & Lange Rodeo’s “Billy Hell”, good enough for fourth place. Wallace’s Round four payoff was $26,231 and Fritzlan’s was $11,000. Wallace shone again on Monday, winning Round five on Rafter G Rodeo’s “Freddy Fender” with a 91.5, and earning another $26,231. Fritzlan turned in a qualified ride but it was not enough to put him in the money. However, it did help him in the average where he is second to Ky Hamilton by four points. Tuesday, Round six saw both competitors tying for third and fourth, both donning 85.5 scored rides and netting $16,077 apiece.
As of press time, Wallace is sitting as the World Bull Riding Leader with $178,329.98 in winnings, followed by Ky Hamilton with $163,331.17, and in the third spot is rookie Colten Fritzlan with $151,543.04 thus far.
The champion in each event will be determined after the tenth round on Saturday, Dec. 12. Watch these elite athletes go four more rounds to sort it out. 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
CORRECTION: In the print version of this article, the headline and caption reflected the placement going into the finals, not final results.
Special to the Herald Times
