It came down to the final day for NFR team roping qualifiers, and Ketch Kelton and Colter Todd delivered when it mattered most.
Every year, there’s always at least one event where NFR qualifiers aren’t determined until the very last day of the regular season. This year, the team roping roster came down to the 377 Last Hoorah Team Roping in Stephenville, Texas. When the dust settled, Ketch Kelton and Colter Todd had moved back into the Top 15 and punched their tickets to Las Vegas.
With the final qualifying spot hanging in the balance, Kelton and his partner Denton Dunning got to work in Stephenville, placing eighth in the first round with a 5.6-second run. The pair then put together four consistent runs to finish sixth in the average in 25.7 seconds, earning $3,014 each. That payday helped Kelton realize his dream of qualifying for his first NFR, and earn Rookie of the Year honors.
The heeling race was just as close. Todd entered Stephenville on the qualifying bubble. While his partner – and best friend – Derrick Begay had already solidified his NFR qualification, Begay didn’t want to leave Todd behind. He turned out of the lucrative Governor’s Cup after Todd didn’t gain enough points to qualify, so they could finish the season together. And finish they did! The team won the second round in 4.4 seconds for $4,333 each. That check moved Todd back into the Top 15 and secured his NFR qualification. He finished the regular season No. 15 with $122,586.94.
While Kelton and Todd were focused on qualifying, other teams put together strong performances throughout the event. No. 1-ranked team Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira won the average with a four-head time of 22.8 seconds, earning $8,666 each. Cody Snow and Lane Mitchell finished second in 23.4 seconds, while Cole Smith and Truman Magnus and Tyler Tryan and Nicky Northcott tied for third with 23.9-second aggregates.
Meet Your 2026 NFR Team Roping Qualifiers:
Team Roping (Headers):
1. Kaleb Driggers – $251,144.98
2. Tyler Tryan – $205,420.92
3. Korbin Rice – $181,148.37
4. James Arviso – $168,104.04
5. Lightning Aguilera – $155,589.53
6. Andrew Ward – $147,845.55
7. Tanner Tomlinson – $146,459.73
8. Jake Smith – $139,367.38
9. Cody Snow – $137,361.39
10. Derrick Begay – $134,548.03
11. Brye Crites – $126,756.82
12. Dustin Egusquiza – $123,013.18
13. Clay Smith – $121,619.43
14. Ketch Kelton – $118,373.45
15. Dawson Graham – $118,044.59
Team Roping (Heelers):
1. Junior Nunes Nogueira – $251,144.95
2. Nicky Northcott – $206,771.92
3. Cooper Freeman – $181,148.37
4. Levi Lord – $169,288.86
5. Jake Long – $147,845.55
6. Coleby Payne – $139,927.18
7. Ross Ashford – $138,187.08
8. Lane Mitchell – $134,658.34
9. Kaden Profili – $133,065.04
10. Denton Dunning – $127,228.76
11. Douglas Rich – $126,483.48
12. Dillon Graham – $125,339.59
13. Trey Yates – $123,488.75
14. JC Flake – $123,013.18
15. Colter Todd – $122,586.94
Congratulations to this year’s qualifiers! We look forward to watching you at the Thomas and Mack in December.
