Nez only bull rider to cover 2, leads in points
Special to the Times | Smith Rodeo Photos
After two rounds, Flagstaff bull rider Wyatt Nez leads the average race at this year's Indian National Finals Rodeo. Nez is the only bull rider to cover his first two bulls as he accumulated 150 points, including a 74-point ride aboard Texas Golden Gun (Table Mesa Championship Rodeo) in Wednesday night's second-round performance
LAS VEGAS, Nev.
Flagstaff bull rider Wyatt Nez is making some noise at his Indian National Finals Rodeo debut.
After two rounds of competition, Nez is the only bull rider to cover both of his draws as he leads the aggregate race with 150 points.
“I’m so grateful to be here,” Nez said. “This is my first year here at the INFR. A lot of guys were telling me to give the INFR a try and I really appreciate all the help I’m getting.”
In Tuesday’s opening round, Nez finished in a two-way tie for second place with Stran Smith as both cowboys finished with identical 76-point rides with Nez earning that mark on a reride bull.
On Wednesday night, the Diné cowboy added a 74-point ride aboard Texas Golden Gun, a Table Mesa Championship Rodeo bull.
“Both of those bulls definitely made me work,” Nez said. “The one tonight got me on my arm and I kind of paid for it but I just kept trying to hustle.”
The INFR will resume tonight at the South Point Equestrian Center with the bottom 11 rough-stock riders and the bottom 17 timed-event contestants getting their third draws.
Nez, meanwhile, will get his third bull on Friday night with the top contestants advancing into the Saturday night’s short round performance.
“I’m taking it one jump at a time,” Nez said. “I’m just focusing on my next bull. I’m not focusing on the next one after that. I’m taking it one bull at a time. I think that’s the simplest and easiest way to success for me here.”
In addition to Nez, two other Diné cowboys also lead their respective events heading into third round.
Round Rock, Arizona, cowboy Delvecchio Kaye has a two-point edge in the aggregate race over Oklahoma cowboy Jayco Roper in the bareback event.
Kaye leads the pack with 164 points, which includes a first-place finish of 84 points in the opening round. In Wednesday’s second round, Kaye finished in a two-way tie for second with an 80-point ride.
In the team roping, 2018 INFR world champions Edward Hawley and Myles John (Diné) are looking to repeat as champions.
The duo produced a 5.80 run on Wednesday night as that effort earned them an 11.48 aggregate. They lead the team-roping race by nearly a second with Rawley Ben and Brandon Ben turning two steers in 12.47 seconds.
In the tie-down event, Quinton Inman has a slight advantage over 2018 world champion Donovan Yazzie. Inman leads the race with a 20.50 aggregate while Yazzie is a close second at 20.67.
Other event leaders include: saddle-bronc rider Jeremy Meeks (163 points on two), steer wrestler Wynn Bruised Head (11.41 on two), breakaway roper Sloan Anderson (4.51 on two) and barrel racer Ashley Whatley (29.856 on two).
Highway 264,
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