The late spring and early summer are always a balancing act for Will Lummus.
As a PRORODEO veteran, the Byhalia, Miss., product is trying to make sure he keeps pace and secures enough money to stay in contention for a spot at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in December.
As the head coach of the Northwest Mississippi Community College rodeo program, he also wants to put the needs of his student-athletes ahead of his own as they battle for a spot at the College National Finals Rodeo.
Three of Lummus’ proteges made the CNFR in mid-June, with Will Collier (steer wrestling) and Dakota Smith (bull riding) earning a spot in the short round. It’s another rewarding experience as he molds future PRCA competitors.
But that split focus often comes at a price, as it sometimes takes a few steer wrestling runs for Lummus to get back in his groove.
That wasn’t the case this year.
At the Reno (Nev.) Rodeo, Lummus jumped back into the arena and the winner’s circle as his three runs combined for an aggregate total of 13.5 seconds, putting him a tenth of a second ahead of Stetson Jorgensen for the average title.
“I always kind of tone down my rodeoing in April and May just because we have the college rodeo stuff. I guess San Angelo was probably my last big check won back in the middle of April,” Lummus said. “I really don’t normally have much luck this week with Greeley (Colo.) or Reno, but we’re always at them because they’re so big. I usually get things kicked off over the Fourth (of July), but just to get things kicked off early, it’s kind of new to me. It may fall apart from here on out, but we’re gonna try and keep it together.”
The battle between Lummus and Jorgensen started on the opening run as the two men tied with the best time of the first round, finishing in 4.4 seconds. The second go is where the pair separated, with Lummus squeaking into the top eight thanks to a run of 4.7 seconds. Jorgensen missed earning money and finished at five seconds flat to fall behind.
That miniscule gap made all the difference as Jorgensen finished his short go run in 4.2 seconds to win the round. Lummus was runner-up at 4.4, giving him the narrowest margin of the victory in the average race.
More importantly, it gives the six-time NFR qualifier a shot of confidence heading into Cowboy Christmas and the July 4th run. The win in Reno put $18,755 in his ledger, keeping Lummus firmly entrenched in the top 10 of the PRCA World Standings. He’s currently seventh with more than $51,000 in earnings already.
“I feel like we drew some chances and I had some good horses. Weston McGraw was doing the hazing for us and it’s the same thing, just a different day,” Lummus said with a laugh. “Like I said, we had some chances on our steers and it just worked out for us.”
Other winners from the Reno Rodeo
Bareback rider Jess Pope accumulated 255.5 points on three rides to win the average and take home $13,891.
The team roping duo of Aaron Tsinigine and Jeremy Buhler finished their three runs in a combined 16.2 seconds to win the average. They each earned $18,561.
Damian Brennan rode his three saddle bronc horses for 263.5 points to claim the average and $18,745 in prize money.
Tie-down roper Riley Webb was the best on three head, finishing in 26.4 total seconds to secure $12,963 in earnings.
Hailey Kinsel blazed her way to an aggregate time of 50.97 seconds on three runs en route to winning the barrel racing championship and claiming $14,835.
Breakaway roper Taylor Munsell finished her three runs in eight seconds flat to win the average and walk away with $11,883 in prize money.
Stetson Wright was dominant from the start, winning both rounds in bull riding on his way to the average title in the event and the all-around cowboy honor. In total, he took home $28,070.
Photo courtesy of Fernando Sam-Sin/@fsamsin