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Rodeo Jon Chidester, Assistant AD/Media Relations

SWOSU Rodeo Has Six Compete at 2023 Wrangler NFR

LAS VEGAS – SWOSU Rodeo had six former team members compete at the annual Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) that spanned December 7-16. 

Previous Bulldogs competing in the 10-round event included:

  • Emily Beisel (barrel racing)
  • Kelsie Domer (breakaway)
  • Layton Green (saddle bronc)
  • Hunter Herrin (tie down)
  • Sage Kimzey (bull riding)
  • Trey Kimzey (bull riding)

SWOSU was well represented throughout, as three of the six alumni went on to finish inside the top-5 at the NFR. Trey Kimzey and Domer both placed fifth while Sage Kimzey finished as runner-up. Three also won a round in the event – Sage Kimzey, Beisel, and Herrin. 

Beisel notched five top-5 finishes including a 13.60 second ride in round six to earn the win. She finished 13th at NFR and fifth in 2023 world rankings. 

Domer consistently finished inside the top-10 throughout the NFR and had her best placing in round four with a 2.1 second time which put her tied for second. She was fifth in the average in Vegas and finished sixth in the world rankings. 

Green was inside the top-10 five times including an 86-point ride on The Black Tie to close out the event in round 10. He was 10th at the NFR and finished 15th in the world rankings. 

Herrin won round eight with a 7.4 second time and had four other top-5 finishes to his credit. He finished 11th in the average and ninth in the world rankings. 

Sage Kimzey, a seven-time world champion, was second in this year's bull riding with a win in round five and another tie for the top spot in the sixth. His highest score came in the fifth-round win on the back of Polar Express with a 92. That fifth round saw only him and his brother, Trey, as the two cowboys to cover. Kimzey was second in another pair of rounds in the event. He finished fourth in the world rankings.  

Trey Kimzey was fifth at the NFR and fifth in the world rankings after five top-10 finishes including his fifth round 87.5 that slotted him right next to his brother. 

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.