Tarleton Rodeo Student Spotlight: Wyatt Bray

While at the 56th Annual Stampede, we were honored to be able to interview one of Tarleton’s Rodeo athletes, Wyatt Bray.

Born and raised in Stephenville, Texas, Bray felt continuing his rodeo career at Tarleton fitting to his needs because it was close to home.

He is a team-roping header – the first roper, referred to as the "header", the person who ropes the front of the steer, usually around the horns. He has been competitively competing since he was in 5th grade, where he would compete in junior rodeos.

Bray, 21-years-old, is going into his senior year at Tarleton starting in August. During his senior year, he hopes to buy his Pro PRCA card and hopes to make the NFR during his rookie year. “I had a tough start to my junior year, but I came back, won a little money last weekend in Big Spring [Texas]. So, I came here [56th Annual Tarleton Stampede] sitting 5th, and I have to be sitting 3rd to go to Nationals. I do have a chance, and it all comes down to two headers right here in Stephenville, Texas,” says Bray.

Unfortunately, after the 56th Annual Tarleton Stampede, Bray ended up ranking 6th overall in the NIRA, and wasn’t able to clinch a spot at Nationals in Casper, Wyoming this year. But, he doesn’t let that define him.

Bray shows his determination in and out of the arena, and with that makes a determined cowboy who strives to better himself in everyday life. “Rodeo’s a lot of work, it builds a lot of work-related characteristics, and I think it’s helped me progress through life very well,” Bray says.

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-By Lauren Roberts