The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo ended Saturday night with two Decatur cowboys bringing home world titles.
Tuf Cooper, 22, won his second consecutive world championship in tie-down roping. He entered the 10-day event ranked second in the world, but finished with $232,884 in yearly earnings, more than $35,000 ahead of runner-up Justin Maass of Giddings.
TUF IT OUT – Tuf Cooper, 22, of Decatur, won a second consecutive PRCA world title in tie-down roping after 10 rounds in the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas this month. Photo by Kirt Steinke/Western and Rodeo Images
“(And) we got to see Justin come a long ways in his roping.”
Cooper joined his father in the line of cowboys who have successfully defended world titles. Roy Cooper won six gold buckles in tie-down roping, including every one from 1980-1984.
Tuf’s older brother, Clif, 24, finished the season ranked 15th in tie-down roping. Clif took first place in the second round with a 7.3-second run.
And although Decatur’s Trevor Brazile finished third overall in team roping after leading for most of the competition, he did more than enough to win a seventh consecutive and 10th overall all-around gold buckle while competing in Las Vegas.
Steer wrestler K.C. Jones, also of Decatur, ended the season 12th overall. He tied for first in the seventh round with a 3.4-second run.
