Clay Smith and Coleby Payne Win $40,000 at Mike Cervi Jr. Memorial Pro Classic

Top ropers battled it out for prizes at the Mike Cervi Jr. Memorial Pro Classic in Arizona, competing in the Pre Ropings, Pro Classic, and Pro + Am events. The Cervi Roping has also raised over $250,000 to support the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund.

The Mike Cervi Jr. Memorial Pro Classic took place at the Rodeo Grounds in Casa Grande, Ariz., Feb. 20-21. The event featured Pre Ropings, the Pro Classic, and the Pro + Am.

On the first day, the Open, Super 15, and #13 Pre Ropings were held, each featuring a 4-steer average and an impressive 80% payback. Manny Egusquiza and Evan Arnold won the Open with a time of 26.72 seconds on four head, earning $11,740. Tee McLeod and Porter Bryant topped the Super 15 with 28.19 seconds on four head, earning $15,400. Mayson Millett and TJ Bowler won the #13 with 36.76 seconds on four head, earning $5,100. 

The highlight of the event took place on the second day, with the Pro Classic headlining the action. It was a 5-header, progressive after one, that attracted top ropers. This year, producers guaranteed a minimum 90% payback along with enticing prize offerings. Notably, the inclusion of a #15 incentive aimed to nurture up-and-coming talent. A generous cash prize awaited the top-placing #15 or under team on five head, with the second-place team sharing the rewards. 

Clay Smith and Coleby Payne took first place at the Mike Cervi Jr. Memorial Pro Classic, earning $40,000 with a time of 31.54 seconds on five head. Luke Brown and Cade Passig followed in second place with 31.86 seconds, winning $33,300, while Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueria secured third place with 32.36 seconds and $28,300. Mike Grant and Walt Woodard topped the Incentive with a time of 37.76 seconds on five head, earning $5,000. 

The 12th Annual Cervi Pro + Am also took place on the second day in the morning. The event featured slots for amateur headers and heelers paired with top Cervi Pros for three full rounds of action. It offered amateurs the chance to vie for round and overall champion Gist buckles. Participants also received a team photo and an embroidered Wrangler jacket. Roland Warren and Brock Hansen were a total of 22.49 seconds on three head in the Pro + Am Headers, while Cody Snow and Edgardo Esquer were 23.03 seconds on three head in the Pro + Am Heelers. 

Notably, the Cervi roping continued its tradition of supporting the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund, which aids injured professional rodeo athletes. Over a quarter of a million dollars have been raised for the fund through the generosity of the roping's proceeds to date.

Mike Cervi Jr. Memorial Pro Classic Results:

Pro Classic

1. Clay Smith and Coleby Payne, 31.54 seconds on five head, $40,000
2. Luke Brown and Cade Passig, 31.86, $33,300
3. Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueria, 32.36, $28,300
4. Bubba Buckaloo and Coleby Payne, 32.61, $23,310
5. Levi Simpson and Denim Ross, 32.95, $18,310
6. Ketch Kelton and Dakota Kirchenschlager, 33.06, $13,320 
7. Kaleb Driggers and Wesley Thorp, 33.09, $8,330
8. Bubba Buckaloo and Little Michael Calmelat, $3,330

Incentive

1. Mike Grant and Walt Woodard, 37.76 seconds on five head, $5,000
2. Bode Baize and Ryon Tittle, 41.21, $2,500

Fast Times:

1. Jake Smith and Douglas Rich, 5.72 seconds, $1,000
2. Mike Grant and Walt Woodard, 8.07, $500

Mike Cervi Jr. Memorial Pro + Am Results:

Pro + Am  Headers

Round 1: Jeanette Wohlfert and Jake Cooper Clay, 7.75 seconds
Round 2: Buz Sweeden and Nicky Northcott, 6.21
Round 3: Dallas Robinson and Dakota Kirchenschlager, 6.12

Average: Roland Warren and Brock Hansen, 22.49 seconds on three head

Pro + Am Heelers

Round 1: Devon McDaniel and Jardith Giesbrecht, 6.14 seconds
Round 2: Clay Smith and Cliff Williams, 6.76
Round 3: Brock Hanson and Lloyd Pahi, 6.70 

Average: Cody Snow and Edgardo Esquer, 23.03 seconds on three head

Mike Cervi Jr. Memorial Pre Ropings Results:

Open

1. Manny Egusquiza and Evan Arnold, 26.72 seconds on four head, $11,740
2. Jake Cooper Clay and Trey Yates, 27.03, $8,220
3. Ketch Kelton and Denton Dunning, 27.87, $6,260
4. Jeff Flenniken and JR Dees, 28.55, $4,700
5. Jeff Flenniken and Junior Nogueria, 28.61, $3,520
6. Brayden Schmidt and Little Michael Calmelat, 28.85, $2,740
7. Jake Orman and Tyler McKnight, 29.45, $1,960

Fast Time: Grady Quam and Tyce McLeod, 7.05 seconds, $1,500

Super 15

1. Tee McLeod and Porter Bryant, 28.19 seconds on four head, $15,400
2. Levi Schmidt and Sid Sporer, 28.37, $10,740
3. Spencer Whipple and Chase Tryan, 28.77, $7,940
4. Roland McFadden and Howdy Jackson, 29.32, $5,600
5. Murray Linthicum and Denim Ross, 29.73, $4,200
6. Bode Baize and Ryon Tittle, 30.47, $2,800

Fast Time: Aaron Velazquez and Alex Velazquez, 6.42 seconds, $600

#13

1. Mayson Millett and TJ Bowler, 36.76 seconds on four head, $5,100
2. Thomas Braman and Kole Roberts, 36.89, $3,650
3. Wyatt Smith and Cooper Olson, 38.31, $2,770
4. Kory Bramwell and Maverick Franks, 42.62, $2,040
5. Dylin Ahlstrom and Blake Bowler, 44.66 $1,020

Fast Time: Travis Ericsson and George Aros, 9.26 seconds, $300