KYLE LOCKETT, Visalia, Calif.

Kyle Lockett is part of an exclusive fraternity.

He was all alone in the 2005 pledge class for having won this event for the first time. His status became even more prestigious when Lockett earned his second Timed Event Championship title in 2011, joining the ranks of seven cowboys to have earned this coveted title multiple times.

In his career, Lockett has qualified seven times for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Inside this arena, he’s won $211,500 in Timed Event money – $100,000 of which came from winning the average twice.

But also that proves Lockett’s shear talent. In his career, he has been named the 1997 PRCA Resistol Team Roping Rookie of the Year. He’s won a countless number of rodeo championships since turning pro, including setting an earnings record at the 2002 PRCA tour finale in Dallas with then-partner Wade Wheatley, with whom Lockett has won several rounds at the NFR.

He continues to be a major player inside this arena every March. There’s no reason for that to change this weekend.