BY BRETT NIERENGARTEN
A total of 80 bull riders came through Del Rio, Texas and 20 got the opportunity to get on two, but only 19-year-old TJ Gray made the whistle twice and he claimed the George Paul Memorial Xtreme Bulls title.
“I’ve dreamed of this rodeo a long time and I didn’t know a win would come this soon but I’m excited,” Gray said.
In a bull riding that saw the likes of JB Mauney, Sage Kimzey, Trevor Kastner and Roscoe Jarboe all ride for 89 points or better, it was Gray who stayed solid, making rides of 87 and 86.5 points for 173.5 on two head.
“I’ve been just trying to relax and let my body take over and not think so much,” he said. “It’s been working out.”
Gray entered the the event No. 27 in the world and will likely jump six or seven spots after all of the money from the weekend is tallied. He earned $7,121 for winning the average and an extra $2,400 by placing in both rounds.
43RD GEORGE PAUL MEMORIAL XTREME BULL RIDING RESULTS
First round: 1. Trevor Kastner, 90.5 points on Stockyards ProRodeo’s Soy El Fuego, $4,272; 2. JB Mauney, 90, $3,275; 3. Sage Kimzey, 89, $2,421; 4. Braidy Randolph, 87.5, $1,567; 5. TJ Gray, 87, $997; 6. Tyler Bingham, 86, $712; 7. (tie) Quentin Vaught and Garrett Smith, 85.5, $498 each.
TREVOR KASTNER’S LONG ROUND RIDE
Finals: 1. Roscoe Jarboe, 89 points on Stockyards ProRodeo’s Just Another Gangster, $3,418; 2. Billy Quillan, 88.5, $2,658; 3. JC Mortensen, 87, $1,994; 4. TJ Gray, 86.5, $1,424; no other qualified rides.
JARBOE’S SHORT ROUND RIDE
Average: 1. TJ Gray, 173.5 points on two head, $7,121; 2. Trevor Kastner, 90.5 on one head, $5,459; 3. JB Mauney, 90, $4,035; 4. (tie) Roscoe Jarboe and Sage Kimzey, 89, $2,136 each; 6. Billy Quillan, 88.5, $1,187; 7. Braidy Randolph, 87.5, $949; 8. JC Mortensen, 87, $712. *(all totals include ground money).
TJ GRAY’S LONG ROUND RIDE
TJ GRAY’S SHORT ROUND RIDE
