In 2025, there are 11 ropers within the top 20 of the world standings whose first PRCA title came in the form of Resistol Rookie of the Year.
From past world champions to rising young stars, these former Resistol Rookies now have something else in common: They all have a shot at a trip to the NFR with less than a month left in the regular season.
Jade Corkill: 2006 Resistol Rookie of the Year
Texas’ Jade Corkill was crowned Resistol Rookie Heeler of the Year in 2006. Since then, the 13-time NFR qualifier has three world championships and the 2014 NFR average title.
This season, he teamed up with fellow Resistol Rookie of the Year Clint Summers and sits No. 3 in the world with $148,633 won after a huge showing at the Cinch Playoff Series Finale in Puyallup, Washington, where they won the final round in 4.3 seconds for $13,400 a man.
Kaleb Driggers: 2009 Resistol Rookie of the Year
Georgia native Kaleb Driggers was the 2009 Resistol Rookie Header of the Year, and the now 12-time NFR qualifier owns back-to-back world titles in 2021 and 2022.
This season, he and Junior Nogueira—also a former Resistol Rookie—are on track for another NFR appearance with recent wins in Lewiston, Idaho; Kennewick, Washington; Logan, Utah; and Loveland, Colorado. Driggers is No. 5 in the world with $147,423 won.
Tyler Wade: 2012 Resistol Rookie of the Year
Tyler Wade was the 2012 Resistol Rookie Header of the Year. The Texas cowboy has since qualified for the NFR seven times and is the reigning back-to-back world champion.
This season, Wade and Wesley Thorp are firmly in the top 15 with recent checks from Walla Walla, Washington; Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Bremerton, Washington; and Omak, Washington. Wade is No. 7 in the world with $141,512 won.
Clint Summers: 2012 Resistol Rookie of the Year
Florida native Clint Summers hopped on the ProRodeo scene as the 2012 Resistol Rookie Heeler of the Year before qualifying for his first NFR in 2018 on the heel side. Since then, the 2024 NFR average champion joined the elite club of NFR switchenders, qualifying for three NFRs as a header.
He and Corkill made a statement in Puyallup Sept. 13, with a $13,400 payday, and won checks in Blackfoot, Idaho; White Sulphur Springs, Montana; and Dillon, Montana. Summers has $148,308 won and is No. 4 in the world.
Junior Nogueira: 2014 Resistol Rookie of the Year
The world learned the name Junior Nogueira in 2014 when he was crowned Resistol Rookie Heeler of the Year and qualified for his breakout NFR. The Brazilian has qualified for the NFR 11 times and is a three-time world champion, including the all-around title in 2016.
With Driggers, he added more than $13,000 to their earnings the past few weeks with checks in Washington, Utah, Idaho and Colorado. Nogueira is No. 4 in the world with $147,423 won.
Cody Snow: 2015 Resistol Rookie of the Year
California’s Cody Snow was the 2015 Resistol Rookie Header of the Year. Since then, he has made eight NFR appearances, was the 2019 NFR average champion and finished second in the world that year.
This season, Snow is partnered with Hunter Koch and cashed in in the second round at Puyallup, plus at Moses Lake, Washington; Caldwell, Idaho; and Lovington, New Mexico. Snow has $89,413 won and sits on the bubble at No. 20.
Dustin Egusquiza: 2016 Resistol Rookie of the Year
Dustin Egusquiza, the 2016 Resistol Rookie Header of the Year, is now a seven-time NFR qualifier who finished fifth in the world in 2024.
This summer, he’s got the win at the NFR Open back in July, and pulled checks with Will Woodfin in Puyallup; with Sid Sporer in Calgary, Alberta; and with main partner J.C. Flake in Burley and Gooding, Idaho, and Canby, Oregon. Egusquiza is No. 6 in the world with $145,771 won.
Ross Ashford: 2018 Resistol Rookie of the Year
Texas’ Ross Ashford was the 2018 Resistol Rookie Heeler of the Year and qualified for the NFR in 2021.
This season, J.C. Yeahquo and Ashford are both battling for a second NFR qualification, with recent checks in Puyallup; Ellensburg; Walla Walla, Washington; and Moses Lake, Washington. Ashford is No. 19 in the world with $89,422 won.
Tanner Tomlinson: 2020 Resistol Rookie of the Year
Tanner Tomlinson claimed the 2020 Resistol Rookie Header of the Year title and has since qualified for the NFR twice, winning the 2022 average and setting the NFR average record.
Recently, Tomlinson and Travis Graves grabbed checks in Calgary; Tremonton, Utah; Kennewick; Burley, Idaho; and Bozeman, Montana. Tomlinson leads the world standings with $153,926 won and is on his way to a third NFR.
Kaden Profili: 2023 Resistol Rookie of the Year
Texas’ Kaden Profili was the 2023 Resistol Rookie Heeler of the Year and made his first NFR in 2024, finishing 12th in the world.
In recent weeks, Brenten Hall and Profili have won money in Pendleton, Oregon; Lewiston, Idaho; White Sulphur Springs and Dillon, Montana; and Bremerton and Kennewick, Washington. Profili is No. 18 with $93,809 won and is fighting for a second trip to the NFR.
Tyler Tryan: 2024 Resistol Rookie of the Year
Tyler Tryan was crowned the 2024 Resistol Rookie Header of the Year, winning the rookie race by $39,097 and finishing No. 25 in the world.
This past month, Tryan and partner Denton Dunning pulled checks in Blackfoot, Filer and Salmon, Idaho; Kennewick and Gooding, Washington; and Canby, Oregon. Tryan is No. 19 with $95,167 won, with less than a month left in the regular season.
