The $66,300 win in the Bloomer #11.5 Shootout didn’t feel real for Rylan Rogers, of Ecru, Mississippi, and Sam Griswell, of Ramer, Tennessee. 

The two teenagers roped four steers in 29.20 seconds to win the roping and a prize package worth getting excited about. 

Rogers, 14, and Griswell, 17, put together runs of 7.08, 8.25 and 6.22 before finishing it off with a 7.65 in the short round — good enough to hold off the field. 

“We just needed to catch them all,” Rogers said. 

“The second one ran pretty hard… and the third one was slower,” Griswell said. “It was hard to switch up.” 

Still, they handled it. 

Coming back third call, both said the nerves started to creep in — especially with the money being announced over the loudspeaker. 

“They kept announcing how much money you win and that kept getting in my head,” Griswell said. 

Even with that, the plan never changed. 

“We weren’t talking much about a plan,” Griswell said. “Just catch him.” 

“I knew we were still going to win a bunch of money either way,” Rogers said. 

On the head side, Rogers rode his go-to horse “Rhino,” while Griswell trusted his longtime heel horse “Gabby,” a mare he’s had for several years. 

For a team that ropes together regularly back home, it marked their biggest win yet — and a sign of what’s coming next. 

In a building full of top #11.5 ropers, the young duo proved they belong — and that the next generation is ready to answer the call and step up to win big checks. 

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