During the first six rounds of the 2016 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo we have seen near record performances in at least one of the events each night. The anticipation and excitement surrounding tonight’s round seven could be felt down on the plaza as fans lined the sidewalks in agony as they waited for the doors to the Thomas & Mack to open up and the escalators to begin the long ride up to the entrance. Once fans were let in the party atmosphere began as the pre-party started inside of the “Cowboy Corral!”
Tonight would, once again be a very special night for all of those in attendance as we honor all those that have ever served our country in the United States military. You could tell the patriotism throughout the arena as Resistol red, white and blue American Flag feathers were handed out and honorably worn throughout the evening. This entire seventh round was dedicated to those men and women that protect us on a daily basis and is one of the most anticipated rounds at each year’s Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
The Nellis Air Force Base Airmen Sing The National Anthem
PRCA Photo By Greg Westfall
Each and every year the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association along with the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association pay tribute to all those that serve our country in the United States military. Wednesday nights in the seventh round are traditionally the nights that we deem “Military Appreciation” nights that include a very special and touching tribute to those that have ever put on the uniform to protect our rights and freedoms that we have as free American citizens.
Tonight’s opening kicked off with an amazing video tribute to the 75th Pearl Harbor Anniversary that we celebrated today with a special music composition by the talented Steve Amerson. After the tears were wiped away and the hugs were shared, in true military fashion, we were joined by a group of talented individuals to lead us in our nation’s National Anthem. Tonight that honor would go to the one and only Nellis Air Force Base Airmen who did an amazing job on this night that was sponsored in part by our friends from Boyd Gaming.
Matt Sherwood And Quinn Kesler Take Home The Seventh Round Win At The 2016 WNFR
PRCA Photo By Greg Westfall
So far throughout the first six rounds at the 2016 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Team Roping event has been completely dominated by the current world leaders Luke Brown and Jake Long. After placing in five of the six first rounds while winning two of those outright this dynamic duo has been making it tough for anyone else to make a run at the titles of World Champions here in Las Vegas. Tonight these two ropers were able to combine for another solid run to stay ahead in the average with a 5.7 second time that pads the world lead even that much more.
That being said, tonight it was another great pair of professional team ropers that had what it took to take home the seventh go-round win here at the Thomas & Mack. Once again all fifteen teams in the event came out and put on a nearly record setting round with one team taking a serious run at fore mentioned record. Tonight that team would be the team of Matt Sherwood and Quinn Kesler who managed to pull off a huge run with a time of 4.1 seconds. I was able to catch up with them following their winning run to see what they had to say so take a look at the video below to hear from them yourselves.
Bull Riders Celebrate Their Round Seven At The 2016 WNFR
Coming into tonight’s seventh round the bull riding event has been one that has been talked about since the conclusion of round one. The world race is being lead by fan favorite Sage Kimzey who has managed to stay aboard four of his six bulls coming into tonight but has to continue looking over his shoulder with two others hot on his heels. World number two is siting second in the average while world number three Shane Proctor is sitting first in the average being the only man to cover all six of his bulls heading into tonight’s seventh round here in Las Vegas.
Tonight everyone watching live in the arena as well as at home on CBS Sports Network could tell that the soreness and small injuries are catching up to those competing here at the 2016 WNFR. Cody Teel has already had to withdrawl from competition and many others are nursing injuries. Tonight only 7 of the fourteen bull riders competing were able to cover their bulls with three, Garret Tribble, Cody Rostockyj and Shane Proctor coming out on top after earning an 85 point rides to split the round win. I was able to catch up with Shane before heading to the South Point for the go-round win buckle presentation to see what he had to say about his finals so far and to walk us through his round winning ride here tonight so take a listen for yourself in the video interview below!
Complete Recap Including Round Winner, Current Average Leader and Current World Leader Below
Bareback
Round Winner – R.C. Landingham (84.50 Points)
Average Leader – Tim O’Connell (590.00 Points)
Current World Leader – Tim O’Connell
Steer Wrestling
Round Winner – Dakota Eldridge (3.5 Seconds)
Average Leader – Matt Reeves (28.00 Seconds)
Current World Leader – Tyler Waguespack
Team Roping
Round Winners – Matt Sherwood and Quinn Kesler (4.1 Seconds)
Average Leaders – Levi Simpson and Jeremy Buhler (45.3 Seconds)
Current World Leaders – Luke Brown and Jake Long
Saddle Bronc
Round Winner – CoBurn Bradshaw (85.00 Points)
Average Leader – Jake Watson (581.00 Points)
Current World Leader – Jacobs Crawley
Tie-Down Roping
Round Winner – Matt Shiozawa (7.3 Seconds)
Average Leader – Riley Pruitt (59.00 Seconds)
Current World Leader – Marcos Costa
Barrel Racing
Round Winner – Mary Burger (13.58 Seconds)
Average Leader – Lisa Lockhart (96.83 Seconds)
Current World Leader – Mary Burger
Bull Riding
Round Winner – Garrett Tribble and Cody Rostockyj and Shane Proctor (85.00 Points)
Average Leader – Shane Proctor (590.00 Points)
Current World Leader – Sage Kimzey
Now that the seventh round is in the books we are starting to see some of the world champion races really begin to shape up. That being said, there are still a few that will come down to the very last round as we go through the next few nights with uncertainty as to who will be crowned world champions. Tonight we honored those men and women that have served in our United States military but tomorrow night is all about our neighbors to the north as we take a moment to say thank you at we come together to celebrate “Canadian Night” here at the 2016 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
It is quite easy to follow all the breaking news and excitement with the Rodeo Round Up simply by copying this website into your favorites in your web browser for easy one-click access to event statistics. You can also like and follow us on Facebook here, or by liking and following us on Instagram at @rodeoroundup and on Twitter at @therodeoroundup. Jason has also made it easy for you to be a part of his interviews by opening up a listener comment line. If you have a question for a certain rodeo star simply call in and leave your name, where you are from, who the question is for and what your question is and he will do his best to get it answered for you during his interviews!
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