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Show ports WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2008 • B l Covering what matters most MING CHAMP Wesley Silcox among local cowboys to ride in Fiesta Rodeo r Chad Vest STAFF WRITER Wesley Silcox will enjoy a reunion with family, friends and high schools teammates this week as the Fiesta Days Rodeo is underway. Silcox has said that being with his buddies at home or on the road is what he enjoys the most in this profession. This is his fifth year as a bull-rider in the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association. He grew up on West , Mountain and has been around animals his entire life. When he began doing rodeo for the South County Utah Rodeo Club, he started off with roping. Then after watching his older brother ride bulls, he was inspired to jump on a bull and see what he could do. Before doing that, he watched videos of bull-riders, such as Layne Frost and others, to try and incorporate their techniques, maneuvers and skills into his own. Now, a short while later at age 23, Wilcox has qualified for the National Finals Rodeo three out of five years that he's been in the PRCA. But even more impressive is his gold buckle which he won last December at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Vegas giving him the mind-blowing title of World Champion Bull Rider. "It's really hard to explain the feeling," said Silcox. "It was really awesome. I drew really good bulls that week, and for the entire week I rode good and everything kind of went my way." Being at the top of his game, it would seem that competitors would have extra incentive to outperform him, but the reigning champ doesn't feel like there's a bull's-eye on his back. "I like to see my buddies do good," he said. "But if another guy makes a good ride, we're not going to be mad at each other." As a senior in high school, he became the state champion in bull-riding and earned an opportunity to compete in the national finals where he placed fourth in the country. During Fiesta Days, South Utah County fans will have the privilege to see several of its local boys participate in one of the best rodeos in the country. And many of these pro cowboys are well acquainted with each other and have all tasted success. "We've all got to be pretty good friends," said Silcox. "There's not really too many enemies. Everybody is kind of buddies and we hang out together." Currently, he is ranked second in the world by prorodeo.com and has won over $100,000 dollars up to date in competition this year. Some of his wins this year include two Dodge Xtreme Bulls Tour Events in San Antonio, Texas and Laughlin, Nev. He also won the Cody Stampede in Wyoming, Rodeo de Santa Fe in New Mexico and the Springville Sierra Rodeo in California. A bull-rider has little time to think as he shoots out of the gate and hangs on for an eight count. "It's all reaction," said Silcox. "You've got to train your mind to do it and your mind will just react to what the bull's doing. It's pretty amazing to be on one." Silcox isn't a big guy either. He stands at nearly 5'9" and only weighs 135 lbs. But to him, it doesn't really matter what build you have or if you're loaded with muscle because there's talent in many shapes and sizes. He believes that his balance sets him apart from the others because as he stated, "I'm not that tough." Now, if that statement comes from a bull-riding World Champ who gets knocked out as many as five times per year, yet still gets back on, then where does that leave the rest of us? Silcox said that riding in Utah rodeos is better than other places because of all the fan support. Although, so far this year he said that his favorite destination has been Calgary, Canada. But, with familiar surroundings and a home crowd at the Fiesta Days rodeo this week, that could change. Silcox talked about what he41 enjoy the most while in SF. "The crowd is always good there," he said. "I'm looking forward to the people around and everybody kind of knowing who you are. It's just a good time." Fiesta Days Wijfle Ball Tournament Kelsey Hall / Spanish Fork News * Ten teams took the field for the first annual Fiesta Days Wiffle Ball Tournament, held Saturday, July 19. Murderers Row won first place in the new Wiffle Ball tournament and the Skinny Hippos took second in the Rec. League. In the Pro League the Brew Crew won first and the Side Winders took second. Though not officially part of a team, Matt Marziale does some exhibition hitting, above. |