Texas Team Earns Back-to-Back Wins in Round 9 of the NFR

Tyler Wade and Wesley Thorp rope their way to the South Point Hotel & Casino for the NFR Buckle Presentation for the second night in a row.

Kaleb Kistner | Dec 15, 2023

Photo by Hillary Maybery for SI Rodeo Daily

The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge, kept everyone on their toes during the Round 9 team roping performance.

Tyler Wade and Wesley Thorp fired away another impressive team roping performance in front of an electrifying crowd, claiming the No. 1 spot by just a small margin, 3.5 seconds got the job done tonight.

Wade, 31, of Terrell, Texas, defended his spot at the top among the headers in the world standings, fending off the red-hot Clint Summers. Summers has earned over $116,000 so far this NFR.

Thorp, 28, of Throckmorton, Texas, also defended his position among the heelers in the world standings. With Jake Long breathing down his neck, Thorp made it happen in back-to-back wins.

Two-time world champion Patrick Smith and his partner Tanner Tomlinson were runner-up in the round tonight with a 3.6-second run. Smith was partner to Trevor Brazile when they both won the world championship in 2010.

NFR Round 9 Team Roping Results

Tyler Wade and Wesley Thorp, 3.5, $30,706
Tanner Tomlinson and Patrick Smith, 3.6, $21,296
Rhen Richard and Jeremy Buhler, 3.6, $21,296
Jake Clay and Tyler Worley, 3.7, $12,877
Clint Summer and Jake Long, 3.8, $7,924
Derrick Begay and Colter Todd, 3.9, $4,953

Team Roping World Standings (Headers)

Tyler Wade, $257,540.18
Clint Summers, $234,998.84
Andrew Ward, $219,856.02
Nelson Wyatt, $201,390.45
Rhen Richard, $200,344.68

Team Roping World Standings (Heelers)

Wesley Thorp, $274,767.45
Jake Long, $248,500.08
Buddy Hawkins, $219,856.02
Colter Todd, $200,592.54
Jeremy Buhler, $200,344.68

Thorp is well on his way to his second world championship and Wade would be earning his first. But it's not over till it's over. With over $75,000 going to the average winners tomorrow, anything is possible tomorrow night.

Be sure to check in for Round 10 on Saturday night to see who will be crowned the 2023 world champions in their respective events.

Published Dec 15, 2023

KALEB KISTNER

Kaleb Kistner is from New Braunfels, a small community nestled in the Texas Hill Country. There’s only one “s” in Braunfels! Growing up in Comal County, it was an annual tradition to attend the Comal County Fair and Rodeo. Down the road was the San Antonio Stockshow and Rodeo, that his grandparents would religiously take him to each year. Along with the annual rodeos, Kaleb was an active member in FFA throughout high school. Showing rabbits and pigs, assisting with steers and goats, and participating in leadership development events, Kaleb received a well-rounded, basic education in agriculture. On top of that, Kaleb earned his Eagle Scout with Boy Scouts of America. Kaleb has a strong work ethic and love for agriculture and the great outdoors. He hopes to be able to spread his knowledge and bring a better understanding of the Western way of life to those who may not understand. Kaleb has pursued a career in plumbing, continuing to achieve each possible license as quickly as he can. Kaleb has a beautiful fiancée Makayla and his sweet daughter Kinleigh. During his down time, he and his family enjoy going to their parents’ ranches to spend time with the family.