By SARAH OTTO
Student Reporter
Ryan Winget is a favorite student among many at Northwestern.
Winget, 21, is a dark haired, brown eyed cowboy with arm muscles of steel. He comes from Pawhuska, Okla and is attending Northwestern on a rodeo scholarship, a sophomore majoring in agriculture with a minor in business. After college, he wants to raise cattle and do something involved with rodeo.
Winget has a vibrant personality and his positive manner rubs off on everyone he meets.
Growing up was a little different for him; he had to learn things differently than other children. He was born with cerebral palsy, which affects his hamstrings. Winget did not let this condition affect him one bit when he was a child and he still doesn’t now. He walks without crutches and refuses to use a mobile device to get him around. He will also turn down someone’s help because he feels he is just as capable as everyone else. Winget’s ears probably ring from all the people talking about how inspirational he is. But Winget doesn’t see himself as an inspiration. He said, “I just always try to keep my head held high and help everyone out that I can with anything they need help with.”
In high school, Winget was called “Rhino,” a nickname that has stuck with him all through college. He got it from his friends because of how strong he is for his size. He stands 5 feett 7 inches tall and weighs only 105 pounds. The nickname came from the sport he excelled in the most, wrestling. He was a dual-state runner-up in wrestling his junior year. He said, “My friends gave me the nickname because I am stronger than a lot, and littler than most.”
Winget has been around rodeo all his life. “One of my biggest role models is my cousin Jule Hazen. He has done so much for me that I am extremely thankful for. One reason I look up to him is because he has made the Wrangler National Finals rodeo in Las Vegas three times.” Another role model is Stephen Culling, a senior on the NWOSU rodeo team from Fort Saint John, British Columbia. Winget and Culling became good friends when they started traveling together to rodeos. They went to the College National Finals Rodeo together along with Winget’s good friends Tee Hale, Northwester rodeo team alumnus, and Tanner Brunner from K-State, making their friendship even stronger. Winget said, “If I had the chance to get in the truck with Stephen and rodeo with him, it would be great. I hope to get to go to the NFR with him someday and learn how to haze for him.”
Culling said, “Ryan has made a huge impact on my life. Being around someone so positive all the time does great things for a guy’s attitude. I first met Ryan when he came to NWOSU last fall and I instantly liked him. He started riding along to rodeos with me.” He chuckled and added, “I haven’t been able to get rid of him yet.”
Winget’s love for rodeo is apparent to many. Culling said, “He has such a desire for the sport of rodeo and is always there to help everyone improve. Whether it is riding along to keep you company on a road trip or opening the chute gate at 6 a.m. for practice, I never hear him complain and I can always count on him to be there. Ryan is the biggest inspiration to me when I am in the rodeo arena because he has a fight inside him and all he wants to do is win. He has overcome so much yet he always has a positive attitude and that really helps me stay positive. Ryan has a positive impact on everybody that crosses his path.”
“I guess it feels okay,” Winget said of his positive reputation “I do not think about it very much that people look up to me. A lot of people do not realize I live through them. I enjoy seeing them do good, especially the steer wrestlers, because it makes me feel like I have done something because I help them practice.”
Winget sums up his attitude with a motivational quote:
“Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway.”