By SAMI MCGUIRE, Sports Editor
One of our very own Ranger athletes is taking on the world. The world of steer wrestling that is.
James Daniel Struxness, better known as “J.D.” Struxness, is competing against the best steer wrestlers in the world at the National Finals Rodeo. He competed throughout the year at many professional rodeos across the entire United States, to give himself the shot he has today.
From Dec. 1-10 Las Vegas, Nevada becomes cowboy town. The top 15 cowboys and cowgirls in each event come to compete for 10 rounds against each other in front of the Las Vegas crowd.
The action kicked off on Dec. 1. Watching over the television, Struxness’ nerves were visible. This was the biggest and best rodeo he had ever been to, and he knew it. Struxness made a solid 4.6 second run that placed him fifth in the round.
Struxness knew he had to do better the next night because things were only getting faster. He made took a risky shot at his steer and missed him, and sadly received a no time.
This was the turning point. Struxness came back the third night, and his jitters were gone. He was ready for this, and you could see it in his face as he prepared to go. He tied to win the round with a 3.9 second run.
Now Struxness has the game figured out. He came back in the fourth round and won again with a 3.8 second run. In the fifth round he did it again and won with a 3.5 second run.
With five rounds left Struxness is setting himself up to not only win the average, but also make a run at winning a world title. As of Tuesday, Struxness is setting second in the world standings with $175,876. Right behind Tyler Waguespack, from Gonzales, Louisiana, who has $183,034. With each night paying around $26,000 to win Struxness has a good shot to go for the world title if he keeps on the way he is.
If you want to watch the National Finals Rodeo and cheer on a fellow Ranger looking to win a world title turn on CBS Sports Network at 9 p.m. until Dec. 10.