The Resistol Rookie of the Year title is one of the most prestigious awards a rodeo cowboy (or cowgirl) can win. While no future is guaranteed, winning the Resistol Rookie of the Year title is often looked at as a glimpse into the future of each header and heeler.
In 2024 the PRCA world standings show that testament to be true as former Resistol Rookies of the Year flood the Top 15 and world standings.
(PRCA world standings as of July 18, 2024)
Headers
#1. Kaleb Driggers: 2009 Resistol Rookie Header of the Year
Kaleb Driggers is building a storied career with two world titles to his name and wins at some of the most prestigious rodeos. Driggers currently leads the 2024 PRCA world standings with $113,554.28 won on the year thus far. In 2024, Driggers broke the team roping Cowboy Christmas record, which he set in 2022, with $47,275.
2024 Highlights – Partner: Junior Nogueira
- Won the Ponoka (Alberta) Stampede
- Won the Los Fresnos (Texas) Rodeo
- Won the Walker County Fair & Pro Rodeo (Huntsville, Texas)
- Co-champion at the PPCLA PRCA Rodeo (Mineral Wells, Texas)
#2: Dustin Egusquiza: 2016 Resistol Rookie Header of the Year
The 2016 Resistol Rookie Header of the Year, Dustin Egusquiza has had a dominant 2024 season. The 28-year-old is No. 2 in the world standings with $110,977.96 won on the year and lead the world standings for much of the year. Egusquiza and his heeler Levi Lord have been a force to be reckoned with, picking up the wins at some of the largest rodeos of the season.
2024 Highlights – Partner: Levi Lord
- Won the Greeley Stampede (Colorado)
- Won the Rodeo Celina (Parker, Texas)
- Won the Buffalo Bill Rodeo (North Platte, Neb.)
- Won the Johnson County Sheriff’s Posse Rodeo (Cleburne, Texas)
- Won the Guymon (Okla.) Pioneer Days Rodeo
- Won the Anglina Benefit Rodeo (Lufkin, Texas)
- Won Rodeo Austin (Texas)
- Won the Sandhills Stock Show & Rodeo (Odessa, Texas)
- Won the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo (Denver, Colorado)
#5: Clint Summers: 2012 Resistol Rookie Heeler of the Year
Clint Summers is a member of one of the most rare circles in ProRodeo: the NFR Switchenders Club. Summers, who is currently No. 5 in the heading world standings with $81,264.14 won on the 2024 season, is a former Resistol Rookie Healer of the Year and made his first trip the NFR on the heel side (2018). Since 2019, Summers has made a career on the head side with two NFR qualifications as a header (2021 and 2023). Summers and Jake Long took the 2023 NFR by storm, winning four rounds and climbing all the way to No. 2 in the world.
2024 Highlights – Partner: Jake Long
- Won the San Angelo (Texas) Cinch Chute-Out
#9: Tyler Wade: 2012 Resistol Rookie Header of the Year
Tyler Wade picked up his first world title in 2023 with Wesley Thorp. In 2024, Wade sits No. 9 in the heading world standings with $69,079.71 won on the year. Wade and Thorp have picked up some momentum on the 2024 season, raking in $23,765 a man since the end of Cowboy Christmas.
2024 Highlights – Partner: Wesley Thorp
- Won the Central Wyoming Fair & PRCA Rodeo (Casper, Wyoming)
- Won the Eugene Pro Rode (Oregon)
#12: Nelson Wyatt: 2017 Resistol Rookie Header of the Year
Nelson Wyatt sits No. 12 in the 2024 world standings with $65,842.35 won on the year thus far. Wyatt is coming off his second NFR qualification in 2023, his first in 2020. Wyatt finished sixth in the world in 2023, amassing a career-high of $251,412 in season earnings.
2024 Highlights – Partner: Jonathan Torres
- Co-champion at the Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo (Vernal, Utah)
#14: Cody Snow: 2015 Resistol Rookie Header of the Year
Cody Snow was crowned the Resistol Rookie Header of the Year in 2015, and in 2024 he sits 14th in the world standings with $57,951.67 won on the year thus far. The 27-year-old from California has seven NFR trips to his name and won the average at the 2019 NFR.
2024 Highlights – Partner: Hunter Koch
- Won the World’s Oldest Rodeo (Prescott, Arizona)
- Won the La Fiesta De Los Vaqueros (Tucson, Arizona)
Heelers
#2: Junior Nogueira: 2014 Resistol Rookie Heeler of the Year
One of the most famous heelers in the sport of rodeo, Junior Nogueira won the 2014 Resistol Rookie Heeler of the Year title in 2014. Nogueira has three world titles to his name—the all-around in 2016 and heeling in 2021 and 2022. Coming off a rich Cowboy Christmas and his first national circuit title at the NFR Open, Nogueira is No. 2 in the world standings on the heel side with $106,688.59 won on the year.
2024 Highlights – Partner: Kaleb Driggers
- Won the Ponoka (Alberta) Stampede
- Won the Los Fresnos (Texas) Rodeo
- Won the Walker County Fair & Pro Rodeo (Huntsville, Texas)
- Co-champion at the PPCLA PRCA Rodeo (Mineral Wells, Texas)
#8: Kaden Profili: 2023 Resistol Rookie Heeler of the Year
Kaden Profili is the reigning Resistol Rookie Heeler of the Year. The 22-year-old is currently No. 8 in the world standings with $73,952.01 and heels behind Brenten Hall. Profili won the rookie title in 2023 with $51,048 and finished 39th in the world standings.
2024 Highlights – Partner: Brenten Hall
- Won the Clark County Fair & Rodeo (Logandale, Nev.)
Honorable Mentions
Former Resistol Rookies also sit right outside the Top 15.
Headers
2020 Resistol Rookie Header of the Year: Tanner Tomlinson – 26th in the world standings
- 2024 Highlights – Partner: Patrick Smith
- Won the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show & Rodeo (Mercedes, Texas)
- Won the Heart O Texas Fair & Rodeo (Waco, Texas)
- Won the Mesquite (Texas) Rodeo, with Tyler Wade
- Won the Lago Mar Reunion Round-Up (Texas City, Texas), with Lane Mitchell
2018 Resistol Rookie Header of the Year: Jeff Flenniken – 46th in the world standings
- 2024 Highlights – Partner: Jake Minor
- Won the Oakdale (Calif.) Saddle Club Rodeo, with Jake Minor
Heelers
2021 Resistol Rookie Heeler of the Year: Caleb Hendrix – 29th in the world standings
- 2024 Highlights – Partner: Korbin Rice
- Won the Clovis (Calif.) Rodeo
2020 Resistol Rookie Heeler of the Year: Clay Futrell – 32nd in the world standings
2019 Resistol Rookie Heeler of the Year: Paden Bray – 30th in the world standings
- 2024 Highlights – Partner: Wyatt Bray
- Won the Sheridan WYO Rodeo
2018 Resistol Rookie Heeler of the Year: Ross Ashford – 16th in the world standings
- 2024 Highlights – Partner: Coy Rahlmann
- Won the Livermore (Calif.) Rodeo
2016 Resistol Rookie Heeler of the Year: Dalton Pearce – 48th in the world standings
- 2024 Highlights – Partner: Cutter Machado
- Won the Lakeside (Calif.) Rodeo
2013 Resistol Rookie Heeler of the Year: Will Woodfin – 39th in the world standings
