SWOSU Athletics
Jon Chidester
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Sage Kimzey was one of five SWOSU Rodeo alumni in action at the 2021 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo that spanned December 2-10. Other former Bulldogs included Emily Beisel, Kelsie Domer, Hunter Herrin and Layton Green.
All five members of the Bulldog family posted a top-two finish in at least one round of the event, including four being able to win at least one round.
Kimzey, after having his six consecutive world championship streak snapped last season, rebounded to earn his seventh world title in bull riding. At the Wrangler NFR, he placed third in the average with a total of 506 points. His best placing was second, which he earned twice during the event on day two and 10. Despite the third-place finish, he still out earned competitor Josh Frost on the year by nearly $50,000 to claim the world title. Kimzey is now one world championship away from tying Don Gray’s record of eight.
Beisel, a native of Weatherford, finished tied for fourth for the event and third in the world standings in barrel racing. She had her best ride in round five of the NFR, where she won the round with a 13.43 second time – the fastest time in any of the 10 rounds.
Domer finished eighth at the NFR and fourth overall in the world standings in breakaway roping. Her best placing came on day two when she tied for first place in the round with a time of 2.4 seconds.
Herrin ended up 15th in average and 13th in the world standings for tie down roping. He won round eight when he posted a 7.1 second time and finished with 81.6 seconds overall on six head.
Green, riding saddle bronc, ended sixth in the average and seventh in the world standings. His best ride came in the eighth round when he tied for first with a score of 91.0, and he finished with a point total of 749.50.
The Wrangler NFR is the season-ending championship event for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and is widely acknowledged to be the world’s premier rodeo. Held annually since 1959, the Wrangler NFR is ProRodeo’s richest and most prestigious rodeo, and it showcases the very best cowboys, barrel racers and livestock in the world.