30-year-old starts strong in his first NFR
Steer wrestling leader Dalton Massey admitted he was anxious before his first go-round at his first National Finals Rodeo.
“There were (some nerves), but I wasn’t going to let it affect me,” Massey said. “I wasn’t going to let it affect me.”
The 30-year-old from Hermiston, Oregon, won his first go-round with a time of 3.5 seconds and a payout of $30,706 in Friday’s steer wrestling first round.
Massey entered his first NFR with an over $30,000 lead in the standings over Jesse Brown, who didn’t claim any earnings in his first-round effort.
“I’ve been prepared for it,” Massey said. “I knew it was coming all year. I just wanted to be ready for the moment, and I was.”
Massey was 17th in the world standings last year, just missing out on qualifying for NFR, which goes to the top 15. This year Massey has seven event wins and said he is focused on getting off to a good start
“Don’t beat myself,” Massey said of his mindset for the next nine rounds. “Just make the runs I’ve been making all year and do my job.”
Other first go-round winners:
■ Rocket Steiner, Weatherford, Texas, in bareback riding (87).
■ Clint Summers, Lake City, Florida, and Jake Long, Coffeyville, Kansas, in team roping (4.2 seconds).
■ Kade Bruno, Challis, Idaho, and Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta, tie in saddle bronc riding (86.5).
■ John Douch, Huntsville, Texas, in tiedown roping (7.7 seconds).
■ Sissy Winn, Chapman, Texas, in barrel racing (13.71 seconds).
■ Creek Young, Rogersville, Missouri, in bull riding (84.5).
Alex Wright Las Vegas Review-journal