Midwest Steer Wrestler Nick Guy Wins NFR Round 3

Seven-time NFR qualifier Nick Guy won Round 3 of the 2023 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo after toughing it out against the strongest pen of steers so far.

Photo by Hillary Mayberry for SI Rodeo Daily

In Round 2 of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo steer wrestling on Sunday night, Dec. 10, the top five places were spread by only a margin of .5 seconds with a 4.4-second run squeezing in the last spot for a go-round check so the steer wrestlers have had to be fast.

Steer wrestlers have to time their horse with the steer and their hazer, who is helping guide the steer to the ideal spot, all before dismounting and wrestling the steer. 

These athletes have a lot of moving parts and organized chaos in just mere seconds, all gunning for a coveted go-round buckle and first-place $30,706 check.

This round of steers is the "strongest group you'll see this NFR" according to five-time world champion steer wrestler, Luke Branquino.

And strong they were. 

Four no-times, a broken barrier, and the steers were throwing their weight around.

Sparta, Wis. native, Nick Guy, didn't let the tough steers shake him at all. Being a seven-time NFR qualifier he was prepped and ready for this. Guy took the round win with a 4.2-second run, $30,706, and complete with a celebratory dance.

Hot on Guy's trail with a 4.3-second go was Canadian first-time NFR qualifier, Stephen Culling, along with Chowchilla, Calif.'s Stan Branco, who's making his first NFR appearance since 2013.

Carrington, N.D. cowboy, Bridger Anderson claimed the third position with a 4.7-second run and earned $12,877.

In a crazy turn of events three athletes stopped the clock at 4.9 seconds, tying for that final spot for a check. Byhalia, Miss.' Will Lummus, Gonzales, La.'s Tyler Waguespack, and Stephenville Texas' Don Payne each took home $1,651.

NFR Round 3 Steer Wrestling Results

1. Nick Guy, 4.2 seconds, $30,706.41
2. Stephen Culling, 4.3 seconds, $21,296.38
3. Stan Branco, 4.3 seconds, $21,296.38
4. Bridger Anderson, 4.7 seconds, $12,877.88
5. Dakota Eldridge, 4.8 seconds, $7,924.23
6. Will Lummus, 4.9 seconds, $1,651.88
7. Tyler Waguespack, 4.9 seconds, $1,651.88
8. Don Payne, 4.9 seconds, $1,651.88
9. Dalton Massey, 5.0 seconds
10. Jesse Brown, 6.7 seconds
11. J.D. Struxness, 13.7 seconds
12. Jacob Talley, No Time
13. Cody Devers, No Time
14. Dirk Guyt, No Time
15. Ty Erickson, No Time

World Steer Wrestling Standings Post Round 3

1. Dalton Massey, $234,136.44
2. Jesse Brown, $192,909.42
3. Tyler Waguespack, $185,042.58
4. Stan Branco, $160,292.37
5. JD Struxness, $156,169.34
6. Will Lummus,  $155,639.32
7. Ty Erickson, $149,876.24
8. Nick Guy, $147,423.84
9. Dakota Eldridge, $141,896.26
10. Stephen Culling, $137,798.65
11. Dirk Tavenner, $130,716.15
12. Cody Devers, $114,132.34
13. Don Payne, $111,863.53
14. Jacob Talley, $111,453.41
15. Bridger Anderson, $108,387.72