LAS VEGAS – Slowly but surely, steer wrestler J.D. Struxness is making his way through the rigors of the National Finals Rodeo.
After a no-time in the opening round, Struxness has found his way to the pay window in the next two nights, finishing in a tie for third Friday and placing fourth during Saturday’s third go-round. Just like when he was in high school in Minnesota, the two-time reserve state champion wrestler worked his way up the bracket in a tough pen animals.
“We knew coming in this was going to be our stronger herd of steers,” said Struxness, who stopped the clock in 4.5 seconds to earn $14,127. “They ran a little more and were pretty consistent on the ground, and it showed. These steers ran more and tried hard.”
The steer wrestlers will see this pen two more times in Rounds 6 and 9, and that’s OK for Struxness.
“I feel like the stronger steers suit my style and size a little bit better,” said Struxness, from Milan, Minnesota, but now living in Perrin, Texas. “I’m riding the Horse of the Year, Crush. If they’re going to run, he gives us a chance to make up some ground. I like this pen of steers for our guys just because I think we would have an advantage with our horses.”
Crush is owned by fellow NFR bulldogger Ty Erickson and is also being ridden by Rowdy Parrot. All three have enlisted the services of veteran Matt Reeves as their hazer, and he’s riding Kirk, a hazing horse owned by his wife, Savannah. That team has earned just shy of $100,000 in just three days of competition.
Struxness accounts for $28,435, but each combatant earns a $10,000 qualification bonus that counts toward their NFR earnings. With that, the trio of steer wrestlers has cashed in for nearly $130,000 of Las Vegas money. For his part, Struxness has reeled in $185,701 this season.
“The money out here has gone up, and it’s awesome,” he said. “Our goal now is to try to get up as close to the top as we can with what we’ve got drawn and take advantage they give us one night at a time and go from there.”
While this is a business trip for Struxness, it’s also a chance to spend some quality time with his family. His two daughters – Everlee, 5, and Lilly, 3 – have been enjoying their time in the City of Entertainment with Dad, Mom, Jayden, grandparents and other family and friends.
“They’re loving it and to have them here … you have your support group,” Struxness said. “This is such a big event, so having your support system – your family, friends and crew – is a huge deal.”