Photo/Robby Freeman Professional Cowboy Tyler Willis from Wheatland competes in the Heartland ProCowboy Rodeo in October.

For Tyler Willis of Wheatland, being Rookie of the Year was a goal, even though winning it did come as a surprise.

“It was something I’d been working for,” he said.

Willis took home the 2009 Bull Riding Rookie of the Year award from the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association in October of 2009, after an upset win at the Heartland ProRodeo Championships on October 17, 2009, in Texas.

Willis was involved in high school rodeo for four years in Wheatland. Now, a student at the Vernon College in Texas, where he is studying farm and ranch management, Willis is a member of the PRCA, and considered a professional rodeo athlete.

Although 2009 was Willis’ first year in the PRCA, it was highly successful, and saw him at number 19 in the World Standings. In addition to winning several rodeos, Willis saw a net earning for 2009 of $54,825.

Willis takes his rodeo skills nationwide, and said for him, it is a job, and one that he hopes will continue into the future.

Willis continues to head to rodeos, with his most recent event happening in Ft. Worth, TX, on Tuesday after press time.

For a full profile on Willis and event news, please go to www.prorodeo.com.



For the complete article see the 02-03-2010 issue.

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