As the action continues in Dickies arena, more athletes have advanced to the semi finals and wild card rounds through Bracket 3 of the tournament style rodeo.
Bracket 3 wrapped up at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo with strong performances across the board as athletes worked through two rounds inside Dickies Arena with Semifinal and Wild Card spots on the line.
All eyes have been on young superstar Wacey Schalla, who continues to build on his very successful first National Finals Rodeo appearance in bareback riding.
The 20 year-old split the Round 1 win in Fort Worth with veteran Richmond Champion. He then came back to win Round 2 outright. Schalla led the bracket with $4,700 to advance to the semifinals. Champion also moves on, while RC Landingham finished third and heads to the Wild Card round.
Steer wrestling came down to the wire again. Mason Couch secured his semifinal spot after winning Round 1 with a 3.4-second run. Riley Westhaver and Dane Haas finished tied in earnings for second place after splitting the Round 2 win. The tiebreaker, that was based on 2025 world standings, sent Westhaver to the semifinals and Haas to the Wild Card.
Team roping required money runs in both rounds to advance, and the teams that stayed consistently fast advanced. Dustin Egusquiza and J.C. Flake won Round 2 to take the bracket title. Riley Kittle and Cole Curry advanced in second, while Jr. Dees and Landen Glenn earned the Wild Card spot. Nelson Wyatt and Jonathan Torres set a new arena record in Round 1 but were eliminated from advancing after a miss in Round 2.
Breakaway roping was also all about consistency. Emilee Charlesworth won Round 1 and placed second in Round 2. Shalee King finished second in Round 1 and tied for the win in Round 2. Separated by $100, King finished first in the bracket with Charlesworth second, sending both to the semifinals. Tiada Gray advances to the Wild Card.
Saddle bronc riding featured a major storyline. Jacobs Crawley opened the bracket with a Round 1 win before a serious wreck in Round 2 ended his Fort Worth run. Waitley Sharon followed with an 88 point ride to win Round 2 and the bracket. The talented 20 year old rookie cowboy advances to the semifinals alongside the reigning world champion Statler Wright.
Tie-down roping belonged to Beau Cooper, who placed second in Round 1 before winning Round 2 with an 8.6-second run. Tom Crouse finished second overall. Cole Clemons earned the wild card spot via tiebreaker over Treg Shaack.
Barrel racing saw McKenna Coronado claim the bracket title after placing third in Round 1 and winning Round 2 with a 16.29, the fastest time of the bracket. Summer Kosel advanced in second, while Shelley Morgan heads to the Wild Card after a round win and a tipped barrel in Round 2.
Bull riding closed the bracket with Stran Smith making the only qualified ride in Round 1 and tying for the top spot in Round 2. Smith advances to the semifinals with Lane Vaughn, while Jesse Petri moves on to the Wild Card. Smith has already racked up nearly $10,000 in Dickies arena this far.
Bracket 3 is complete as the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo continues toward the semifinals, and eventually crowning this years champions.