BY BRETT NIERENGARTEN @PRORODEOBRETT
The Resistol Rookie of the Year race is decided in all but one event—bull riding. In this battle, Cooper James and the other rookies aren’t just eyeing the rookie title; they’re aiming for the World Championship.
At just 19-years-old, James is one of three rookies ranked in the Top 10 heading into the National Finals Rodeo. With only two event wins this season, his spot in Las Vegas is a testament to his consistency, covering 46 percent of his bulls in his first year as a pro.
Bell County Fair and Rodeo, $2,008
At just his four professional rodeo, James would get a victory with 86 points on Shockazooloo, an NFR bull from Andrews Rodeo. It was his first career qualified ride.
Just three days later, he cracked the lineup for the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo by riding for 82.5 in Uvalde.
San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, $15,333
James made good on his opportunity in San Antone by getting to the Finals in his Texas Swing debut. He rode 4-of-5 inside the Frost Bank Center and being the only cowboy to ride in Bracket 4, Round 3 and finishing second in the First Semifinal made up more than $13,000 of his total.
Angelina Benefit Rodeo, $4,382
The Angelina Benefit Rodeo in Lufkin, Texas came as part of a streak where James covered four bulls in a row at four different events in April. All of them were worth at least 82 points, three of them were worth 85 or more, and all of them paid him at least $2,000.
Fiesta Days Rodeo, $9,405
James took second in Spanish Fork by making his highest marked ride of the season, 89.5 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Cold Roll. Later on in the rodeo, fellow NFR qualifier Tristen Hutchings would ride the same bull for 92.5 points to get the win.
James double dipped in Utah on July 24 when he had a matching second place finish in Ogden for 86.5 points. That also paid him north of $9,000.
Cheyenne Frontier Days, $4,784
The scores are not going to blow you away, but the rookie kept getting them rode in Cheyenne. He was 3-for-3, but his highest marked ride was just 83.5 points. However, it was enough to make the Finals in his debut at The Dad.
In the last 10 days of July, James went from No. 14 to No. 8 in the PRCA World Standings.
Pendleton Extreme Bulls Tour Finale, $17,256
Sitting No. 10 in the World with three weeks left to go in the regular season, James solidified his spot by going 3-for-4 against the best of the best in ProRodeo. His 256 points on three earned him $8,000 and he finished third in the Average behind Dustin Noquet and Jeter Lawrence.
Omaha River City Rodeo, $3,838
James waited a long time for another win after getting his first one in early February anad it finally came on Sept. 21. He rode Chore Boy for 84.5 points in one of his final rodeos of the regular season.
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