BY BRETT NIERENGARTEN @PRORODEOBRETT
Lukasey Morris battled injuries and the bubble toward the end of the season, but the 20-year-old was still able to nail down his first NFR qualification.
Morris impressed in his rookie season by winning seven rodeos and notching an average score of more than 81 points.
BIGGEST PAYDAYS
St. Paul Rodeo, $6,911
Morris rode OLS Tubs Ugly Wish for 88.5 points to finish third behind Hayes Weight and Trey Kimzey. Morris also was third in Prescott over Cowboy Christmas.
Kissimmee Southern Showdown, $5,582
Morris’ first win of the 2022 season came all the way back on Oct. 2, the second day of the regular season. He was 83.5 points on Silver Spurs Club’s Baker Act.
HIGHEST MARKED RIDES
Great Plains Stampede, 88 Points
On his first weekend back after missing six weeks due to a leg injury suffered Fourth of July weekend, Morris won the Great Plains Stampede on Gold Rush of Andrews Rodeo. That same weekend he also finished third at the Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo.
Wharton County Youth Fair, 87 Points
In April, Morris took fourth at the Wharton County Youth Fair. He finished behind Cole Fischer, Parker Breding and Riker Carter.
NOTABLE WINS
Cave Creek Rodeo Days, 85 Points
Morris broke a streak of nine buckoffs in a row with a win in Cave Creek, Arizona. He shared the title with Jesse Flores.
Redding Xtreme Bulls, 86.5 Points
Morris won almost $4,800 for splitting first place with Jack Gilmore. It was the first X Bulls win of his career.
MEET THE NFR ATHLETES IS PRESENTED BY MONTANA SILVERSMITHS #everybucklehasastory #goldbucklebound