WPRA Rookies making headlines across the United States, plus check-out a special Father's Day feature on eight-time PRCA World Champion Team Roper Speed Williams and his daughter, Hali Williams, who currently ranks No. 1in the WPRA ProRodeo Breakaway World Standings.
www.wpra.com
June 2023
Comin’ In Hot Rookie Bunting Rises To Top in Redding
Montana
BLUE
www.montanasilversmiths.com | Follow us OFFICIAL SILVERSMITHS OF THE
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CONTENTS
News
431 S. Cascade Colorado Springs, Colo., 80903 PH: 719 - 447 - 4627 FX: 719 - 447 - 4631 Please contact the WPRA office for all correspondence regarding the WPRA News.
Jimmie Munroe WPRA President Ann Bleiker (719) 330-4293 ableiker@yahoo.com Managing Editor Paige Louis Thomas (719) 633-7700 paigeink@gmail.com Graphic Designer Allie Bohus Josie Fladager Tim Gentry Ted Harbin Joe Kusek Kristen M. White Contributing Writers WPRA Office (719) 447-4627 (877) 977-2462 Fax: (719) 447-4631 www.wpra.com
24
19
President’s Corner......................................................................................................................6
In The News.................................................................................................................................8
Taking Care of Business............................................................................................................9
2023 WPRA ProRodeo and Rookie Standings......................................................................10
2023 ProRodeo Breakaway and Rookie Standings.............................................................11
Redding Barrels: Miley Bunting ............................................................................................ 12
Father’s Day Feature: Speed Williams and Hali Williams....................................................14
2023 PRCA/WPRA Circuit Standings...................................................................................... 16
Business Of.............................................................................................................................. 17
Rookie Roundup: Barrels........................................................................................................ 18
WPRA News does not endorse and is not re- sponsible for the contents of any ad in this publication. Neither that information nor any opinion which may be expressed here constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any securities. Opinions expressed in letters to the editor and commentaries are those of the authors and not necessarily those of WPRA NEWS. WPRA News (ISSN 1093-9202) is pub- lished monthly by the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association. Subscriptions are $45 a year. Postmaster: Send address changes to WPRA News , 431 S. Cascade, Colorado Springs, Colo., 80903 WPRA News is designed to provide cur- rent news and results to the members of the WPRA and WPRA All-Women Rodeo. Direct all editorial and advertising corre- spondence to WPRA News , 431 S. Cascade, Colorado Springs, Colo., 80903 Trademark 2017 WPRA NEWS Published by the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association Printed, produced and read in the U.S.A.
Rookie Roundup: Breakaway................................................................................................. 19
Winner’s Circle......................................................................................................................... 20
Futurity/Derby Standings....................................................................................................... 22
Junior Standings...................................................................................................................... 22
Pneu-Dart Women in Ranching............................................................................................. 24
2023 WPRA Roping World Standings.................................................................................... 26
2023 PRCA/WPRA Breakaway Roping Circuit Standings.....................................................27
Guymon Breakaway: Sierra Heinert......................................................................................28
On the Cover : Miley Bunting captured the biggest win of her young WPRA career at the Redding (CA) Rodeo. Bunting, from nearby Red Bluff, is a WPRA Rookie this year but competed like a veteran taking home the barrel racing title and adding her name to the rookie standings. She now leads the California Circuit standings as the summer rodeos get ready to kickoff. Photo by Crystal Amen
4 WPRA NEWS JUNE 2023
PRESIDENT CORNER T he race for the world title begins in earnest this month with the kickoff of the summer run of rodeos. And what a summer it is shaping up to be with big paying rodeos like Reno, Cody, Calgary, the NFR Open
Our rookies have been making headlines as of late with the Resistol Rookie Roundup featuring both the barrel racers and breakaway ropers for the second year at Cowtown Coliseum in Ft. Worth and then Miley Bunting capturing the Redding Rodeo title as a rookie. What a month it has been for our first-year members. This month we honor all our fathers and what a special story we have on Hali Williams and her ProRodeo Hall of Fame dad Speed Williams. The sacrifices fathers make is often overlooked and underappreciated but well worth it when their children turn out to be great human beings like Hali. After winning RodeoHouston, Hali has a very strong hold on the No. 1 spot and will be exciting to see what the rest of the year has in store for her and her family. I would like to wish everyone good luck as the summer run begins and be safe on the road.
and Salinas all on the horizon. We are excited to have the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo in Salt Lake City back on the schedule for 2023 featuring barrel racing and breakaway roping with equal added money. Their added money along with Spanish Fork and Ogden is going to make the third week of July very profitable in the State of Utah. With an estimated $2 million payout and all rodeos being part of the NFR Playoff Series it will be exciting to watch the competition unfold. It is also exciting to have WPRA breakaway roping at the Calgary Stampede for the first time in 2023. The breakaway will be held in conjunction with the team roping with the breakaway being contested on July 12. This year’s event will be held at the indoor facility Nutrien Western Event Center as part of the Calgary Stampede Rocky Mountain Cup.
6 WPRA NEWS JUNE 2023
IN THE NEWS WPRA Montana Silversmiths 75th Anniversary Pendant Now On Sale Montana Silversmiths has long been the leader in the western industry in commemorating momentous events from world championships to significant milestones, so when the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association wanted to commemorate their 75th Anniversary they turned to their longtime partner. Together they designed a LIMITED EDITION WPRA 75th pendant that is now on sale through the WPRA’s Official Store. “We are excited to offer this limited-edition pendant to all our members and fans,” said Hannah Miller, WPRA Partnership Manager. “This was a fun piece to put together with our great partners at Montana Silversmiths to commemorate and celebrate 75 years of the oldest women’s sports organization in the world.” What a perfect combination with both entities celebrating milestones in 2023. Montana Silversmiths’ 50 years of silver artistry is nothing short of extraordinary. Since 1973, Montana Silversmiths has been fueled by a passion for the Western Lifestyle and their jewelry and buckles have the authentic flavor of the West. Each piece combines silver artistry and masterful engraving into brilliant lines of storytelling. “Montana Silversmiths has been commemorating significant events for our customers for the last 50 years in silver artistry,” stated Callie Adams, Director of Events. “It’s very important to us to spotlight our partnerships and anniversaries with this collaboration as we celebrate WPRA’s milestone with a custom 75th Anniversary necklace.” Style and fashion played a big part in rodeos agreeing to add the women back in the beginning in the late 40s and 50s, and those features are illustrated in this commemorative pendant. More than accessories, they are stories and reflections on how far the association has come in 75 years. What started with 48 women has grown into an association of over 3,000 members built for women, by women. Together the WPRA and Montana Silversmiths look to continue crowning world champions for decades to come. Only a limited quantity of 75th Anniversary pendants were made for the milestone, so get yours today complete with a silver chain by clicking on Official Store at www.wpra.com. While there be sure to check out all the other official merchandise of the WPRA.
Did you Know Sweating is a horse’s primary mechanism for cooling, especially during intense exercise. Horses with a condition known as anhidrosis are commonly called “non- sweaters” and can exhibit exercise intolerance or poor performance with its mild form.
8 WPRA NEWS JUNE 2023
TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS
Rule of the Month Check the WPRA schedule at WPRA.com frequently as that is the source of the most up-to-date rodeo approval information. It’s important to note that WPRA members shall not participate in a PRCA sanctioned rodeo that is not approved by the WPRA. Refer to Rule 9.3.16. in the WPRA Rule Book
WPRA 2023 Holiday Schedule Holiday Day of Week From the Corner Office
Date
Memorial Day
Monday Tuesday Monday Thursday
May 29
Independence Day
July 4
Labor Day
September 4 November 23 November 24 December 22 December 25 December 29
Thanksgiving Day
Day After Thanksgiving Friday
Christmas Eve Christmas Day New Year’s Eve
Friday
Monday
Thought of the Month Never be afraid to try something new. Rember amateurs built the Ark… professionals built The Titanic.
Friday
2024 Holiday New Year’s Eve Day
Monday
January 1
WPRA Merchandise Line The WPRA now has an official merchandise line that includes t-shirts, sweatshirts, outerwear and caps. There are a variety of options using the standard WPRA logo in addition to artwork depicting barrel racing and breakaway roping. To check-out the full line visit www.wpra.com and click on Official Store at the top of the page or simply visit wpra.store. Additional items including exclusive 75th Anniversary products will be added in the throughout the year, so check back often for the most recent items available.
First Frontier Breakaway Circuit Count Requirement Due to the Cowtown Rodeo not having WPRA approved breakaways at their rodeos this season, the WPRA Board of Directors have adjusted the required 2023 season breakaway count in the First Frontier circuit. Listed below is the updated required circuit count. First Frontier Breakaway 2023 Circuit Count Requirement Resident- 13 Non-Resident- 15
“The Biggest Communication Problem Is We Don’t Listen to Understand. We Listen To Reply.”
JUNE 2023 WPRA NEWS 9
2023 WPRA PRO RODEO STANDINGS Unofficial Standings as of June 1, 2023 *2022 WPRA World Champion 1. Jordon Briggs Tolar, TX $87,509 2. Kassie Mowry Dublin, TX $65,014 3. Jackie Ganter Abilene, TX $51,118 4. Sissy Winn Corpus Christi, TX $48,564 5. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi Lampasas, TX $44,243 *6. Hailey Kinsel Cotulla, TX $43,259 7. Kelly Allen Stephenville, TX $41,476 8. Molly Otto Grand Forks, ND $38,622 9. Wenda Johnson Pawhuska, OK $38,269 10. Jimmie Smith-Tew McDade, TX $37,681 11. Summer Kosel Glenham, SD $33,618 12. Dona Kay Rule Minco, OK $32,952 13. Margo Crowther North Fort Myers, FL $32,449 14. Shelley Morgan Eustace, TX $32,212 15. Sara Winkelman Big Lake, MN $31,711 16. Lisa Lockhart Oelrichs, SD $31,680 17. Jessica Routier Buffalo, SD $31,462 18. Taycie Matthews Wynne, AR $31,354 19. Ilyssa Riley Hico, TX $31,004 20. Sue Smith Blackfoot, ID $29,224 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
RESISTOL ROOKIE STANDINGS 1. Kalli McCall Lufkin, TX
$16,600 $11,451 $9,355 $7,335 $6,540 $5,903 $5,886 $5,839 $4,065 $3,844 $3,804 $3,519 $3,210 $2,770 $2,639
Victoria Procter Acey Pinkston Rainey Skelton Sophie Nolen Miley Bunting
Ledbetter, TX
Stephenville, TX
Llano, TX
Stephenville, TX
Red Bluff, CA
Kaycee Killingsworth
Thrall, TX
Jetti Lorenz
Madisonville, TX Paradise, TX Occidental, CA
Grace Gardiner
10. Maren Powers 11. Karli Cowie 12. Karsen Jackson 13. Rachel Werkmen 14. Susie Parisee 15. Quincy Sullivan
Mankota, SK Cornville, AZ Wellsburg, IA
Ocala, FL
Peralta, NM
Where The Elite Compete SM
Hailey Kinsel, 2022 WPRA World Champion Barrel Racer, Photo by Kenneth Springer
Bayleigh Choate, 2022 WPRA Resistol Rookie of the Year, Photo by Kenneth Springer
10 WPRA NEWS JUNE 2023
2023 WPRA PRO RODEO BREAKAWAY STANDINGS Unofficial Standings as of June 1, 2023 *2022 WPRA World Champion 1. Hali Williams Comanche, TX $95,290 2. Cheyanne Guillory Kingston, OK $48,521 *3. Martha Angelone Stephenville, TX $44,713 4. Joey Williams Volborg, MT $44,123 5. Tiffany Schieck Floresville, TX $41,598 6. Erin Johnson Fowler, CO $37,412 7. Josie Conner Iowa, LA $32,197 8. Sarah Angelone Lipan, TX $29,835 9. Danielle Lowman Gilbert, AZ $26,745 10. Samantha Fulton Miller, SD $25,830 11. Jackie Crawford Stephenville, TX $24,743 12. Sawyer Gilbert Buffalo, SD $23,370 13. Madison Outhier Fulshear, TX $22,972 14. JJ Hampton Stephenville, TX $22,734 15. Kelsie Domer Dublin, TX $22,400 16. Ashley Goforth Azle, TX $20,860 17. Jordan Jo Hollabaugh Canyon, TX $20,611 18. Shelby Boisjoli Stephenville, TX $18,668 19. Aspen Miller Santa Fe, TX $17,835 20. Taylor Hanchey Carmine, TX $17,224 RESISTOL ROOKIE STANDINGS 1. Bethany Stallons Emelle, AL 2. MaryBeth Beam Poetry, TX 3. Erika Frost Randlett, UT 4. Jade Kenney Canyon, TX 5. Braylee Shepherd Nephi, UT 6. Kayley Kennemer Anderson, AL 7. Quincy Sullivan Peralta, NM 8. Emily Gately Escondido, CA 9. Bailey Jay Boerne, TX 10. Kenzie Kelton Mayer, AZ 11. Ashley Henderson Uriah, AL 12. Rylee George Oakdale, CA 13. Kenzie Hay Purcell, OK 14. Josie Pereira 15. Elisabeth Erickson-Noe La Junta, CO
$8,887 $8,720 $5,316 $5,286 $5,179 $4,909 $4,805 $3,818 $3,170 $3,144 $2,985 $2,509 $2,375 $2,347 $2,119
Arroyo Grande, CA
Where The Elite Compete SM Martha Angelone, 2022 WPRA World Champion Breakaway Roper, Photo by Jackie Jensen
Josie Conner, 2022 WPRA Resistol Rookie of the Year, Photo by Jackie Jensen
JUNE 2023 WPRA NEWS 11
ROOKIE HIGHLIGHT Bunting Bests Barrel Racing Field in Redding By Kristen M. White R ookie Miley Bunting is putting her focus on circuit rodeos in her home state of
California. It just so happens that one of those circuit rodeos is Redding, and her recent victory there was both a circuit win and a checkmark on the bucket list of top rodeos in professional rodeo. Bunting landed the single-run win with a strong performance of 17.32 seconds, enough to edge out Sue Smith in 17.36 seconds. It’s the biggest win of her budding pro career so far, and Bunting is just humbled and honored to put her name in the Redding Rodeo history books. “I felt really blessed to be able to win it,” she said. “I was third out on the ground and I was a little worried because sometimes my horse isn’t the best in the gate, but he was great. Just walked up there, and after we turned the first barrel well, I knew it was going to be a good run.”
Miley Bunting bested the barrel racing field in Redding, California, in just her first year as a WPRA card holding member. Bunting filled her permit in 2022 and is now making headlines as a rookie. Photo by Crystall Amen
up through junior high and high school rodeo ranks. Although her parents weren’t rodeo competitors, she had friends involved, as well as her two brothers. The family runs a cattle ranch, so riding and roping came naturally. She graduated high school in 2021 and went to beauty school for facial treatments. Bunting filled her permit in 2022 and is now in her rookie season, where she said she’s staying primarily close to home. “Making the circuit finals, that’s my goal in my rookie year,” she said. “Pretty much any circuit rodeos that are available, we go to.” Bunting has the assistance of her trusted horse, Click. She bought him as a 4-year-old futurity horse about seven years ago, so they grew up together. Their connection was quick from the start. She said she purchased him in January, and in May of that year, the duo competed at the California Junior High Finals rodeo (her 7th grade year) where Bunting won every round. Redding already held a special place in Bunting’s heart, because it was this time last year when she and her soon-to-be husband Kolby Bravos (a roper) got engaged. “Last year during slack for Redding I got home really late, and Kolby was roping, and he proposed that night and I was totally surprised,” Bunting recalled. “So, Redding was already special for me and this makes it more so.” They’ve got a June wedding planned, so between regular jobs, wedding plans and rodeoing, the couple has their plate full. Bunting said they’ll continue to concentrate on the circuit rodeos and see where that takes them this season.
Bunting was up during the performance, so she had a pretty good idea of what kind of time she needed to snag a check. She saw her time and said, with a laugh, that she was almost hoping to take second, so she didn’t have to speak on the microphone, as is customary for Redding winners. But she got through her speech in fine fashion and pocketed $4,365, which will definitely help with future rodeo entries. The cowgirl from just down the road in Red Bluff, California, came
Miley Bunting didn’t waste anytime getting around the cloverleaf patter in Redding, California, stopping the clock in 17.32 seconds enough to edge Sue Smith with a 17.36-second run. Photo by Hailey Rae
12 WPRA NEWS JUNE 2023
JUNE 2023 WPRA NEWS 13
FATHER’S DAY Speed Williams Seeing Fruits Of His Labor Paying Off Through His Daughter Hali By Ted Harbin S peed Williams had heard the stories from the previous generations about the biggest regrets in rodeo. Oh, there was a passion for the game they played, and there was an on-again-off-again kinship with the road. They didn’t anguish over the competition and the trips to the National Finals Rodeo. They had no remorse for battling to be the best the sport had to offer, but they had regrets.
“During mine and Rich’s last world title,” he said of his eight straight gold buckles earned with his heeling partner, Rich Skelton, “we both had babies on the ground, and both of my good horses had went down. It was a real different year, a struggle year. We went one more year and made the finals, and I got hurt. “I visited with a lot of old-timers, and one of their big regrets was their kids were graduating high school, and they’d been on the road their whole career and missed a whole bunch.” He didn’t want that to happen to him. From 1997-2004, Williams and Skelton knocked down the walls and set a new standard for winning team roping’s top prize. Nobody could beat them over that stretch. No tandem has won more. It wasn’t until Clay Tryan and Patrick Smith
claimed rodeo’s gold in 2005 that they were topped. “I had a few clients that I’d done schools for, very wealthy people, and they’d been gone all the time and didn’t have a relationship with their children,” Williams said. “That was the burning of the fire behind me, trying to figure out how to make a living not rodeoing. The problem was, I had good money and was making $200,000 to $250,000 in sponsorships. It was hard not to rodeo. “That’s where I came up with my website, SpeedRoping.com, to teach people and my kids while I stayed home and let people see my journey. Now, that’s what I do pretty much every day, that and private lessons.” Being a father meant that much to the world titlist. By the time he made his last of 15 NFRs in 2008, he and his wife, Jennifer, were the proud parents of two children, Hali and Gabe. Fifteen years later, the tides have changed and the tutelage he has issued over that time has been learned by his own flesh and blood. The oldest is Hali, now 19 years old and the No. 1 cowgirl in the WPRA ProRodeo breakaway roping world standings. She’s likely not in this position had her father not altered his life and way of living so many years ago. As the calendar now turns to Father’s Day, it’s a father-daughter tale that’s hard to miss. “I changed my whole projective in life,” said Speed, a 2018 inductee into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. “I wanted to raise my kids on my terms and give them an opportunity in life to make their own decisions. Speed Williams made the decision when his kids were born that he was going to be there to see all their great milestones whether it be in rodeo or something else. He has been their biggest cheerleader and supporter and now his daughter is reaching new heights in the sport of professional breakaway roping. Photo courtesy Hali Williams
Hali Williams has one of the best and most accomplished ropers in the sport of rodeo in her corner but the best part of that is she also gets to call him DAD. Speed Williams won eight consecutive world titles during his career before taking a back seat to competition so he could watch his children grow up. He is now reaping the fruits of his labors as Hali is ranked No. 1 in the WPRA. Photo by Kenneth Springer
14 WPRA NEWS JUNE 2023
rope. She’s been involved in team roping since she could walk and been horseback long before that. She finally decided to forego travel ball by the time she was 12 and focus her athletic and genetic talents on roping. Last season, she finished 28th in the final world standings and fourth in the race for Resistol Rookie of the Year. “Whatever we did, we were all in,” Hali said. “If you did it, you had to strive to be the best at it. That’s something both of my parents have instilled.” That’s probably why she found success in so many facets of her young life. She had hoped for a better first year, but that’s how the wagon rolls down the path sometimes. She learned to overcome challenges and what it’s like being on the road. Those have all been put into perspective in this sophomore campaign. In March, she’d earned just $3,750 while qualifying for the Championship Shootout at NRG Stadium in Houston. After posting a 3.6-second run, she added $50,000 to that and propelled to the breakaway roping mountaintop. “That win has essentially changed my career,” she said. “The winter rodeos were really good to me. They taught me a lot along the way. When it happened, I realized, ‘You got your ticket punched to the
I didn’t make my kids rope, but I made it fun. If the kids don’t have fun and enjoy it, they’re going to find something else to do.” The apples didn’t fall far from a very respected tree. Hali is taking 19 years of lessons with her from one rodeo to another, and her season was presented a nice exclamation point with her victory at RodeoHouston in March. That shot her to the top of the money list, a position she won’t give up any time soon. Meanwhile, the Comanche, Texas, teenager is trying to build on that status in just her sophomore season on the rodeo trail. In all his years of battling for gold buckles, all Speed wanted was a chance. From that point, it was all on him if he succeeded or not. He wants those opportunities for the next generation. “As a young child, she asked me if she could make a living roping,” Speed said. “In the team roping world, for a girl that wins, it just raises your number. It’s hard to make a living as a young child roping. For all the hours we have spent practicing, for all the hours I’ve spent to get her to swing a rope and do the things the way I feel needs to be done, she’s getting the opportunity in life that breakaway roping has presented. “Now, she has a chance to control her own destiny.” She’s trying to do that and has been for a long time. When she was 7 years old, Hali tried her hand at gymnastics and found success. She was a member of the Junior Olympics team. When Gabe was 5 and started peewee baseball, Hali fell in love with the sport. She dropped gymnastics and traveled the world playing softball. Back at home, there was always a horse to ride and something to Hali Williams has a number of buckles in her collection already but would love nothing more than to add a gold buckle to go alongside her dad’s eight that he won in team roping. Afte winning RodeoHouston she is definitely in the driver’s seat as the summer run of rodeos gets underway. Photo courtesy Hali Williams
NFR.’ I didn’t realize the effect it would have on my career. “It’s ironic, because I finished third at both San Antonio and Fort Worth. When you win something like that, your phone just blows up. It’s crazy the difference in the opinions and sponsors we’re seeing. Everybody tunes into the final short round at Houston. I was naive at what it meant, but it was a blessing in disguise and opened a lot of doors for me this year.” Those doors were agape decade and a half ago when her dad focused his attention to his kids. Like many little girls, she had big eyes for the big man in her life. She was and is a “Daddy’s Girl;” he outfitted the tractor with a seat just for her when he was in it, and she’d ride her Hali Williams has always enjoyed riding horses and having her dad, Speed, there by her side. Although both have had a few birthdays since this image was taken, they still enjoy riding through life together. Photo courtesy Hali Williams
continued on page 22
JUNE 2023 WPRA NEWS 15
2023 PRCA/WPRA CIRCUIT STANDINGS BARREL RACING Unofficial as of June 1, 2023
BADLANDS 1.
FIRST FRONTIER 1. Kerri Frazier
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Cierra Erickson Karen Boyd (R) Abigail Knight Tisha Larsen
$1,737 $1,417
12. Presley Smith 13. Taycie Matthews 14. Bobbie Jo Alcazar 15. Ashley Rogers
$3,718 $3,633 $3,471 $3,325 $25,654 $25,282 $20,050 $15,615 $15,559 $15,374 $13,475 $13,311 $12,890 $12,288 $9,655 $9,040 $7,947 $7,844 $7,642 $9,536 $5,664 $3,597 $2,556 $1,876 $1,609 $1,548 $1,318 $1,150 $1,098 $1,057 $1,008
Bobbi Olson Nikki Hansen Taylor Hanson
$4,191 $3,397 $3,275 $3,027 $2,505 $2,420 $2,069 $1,608 $1,519 $1,461 $1,211 $1,117 $1,088
$738 $690 $656 $600 $571 $567 $537 $397 $357 $357 $330 $292 $292 $240
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Incarnata Tesiero Brooke Klinger Jennifer Romriell Christina Mulford Jodi Lyn Colton Lauren Wagner Cathy Allen Jamie Fowler McKenzie Small
$755 $642 $529 $250
Ellie Bard
Tia Murphy Ashley Day
TEXAS 1.
Cindy Baltezore Jessica Routier
Kelly Allen
MOUNTAIN STATES 1.
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Kassie Mowry
Hallie Fulton
Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi
$10,925 $3,997 $2,683 $1,403
Jimmie Smith-Tew
Cydney Peterson Alyssa Gabrielson
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Kim Schulze Shali Lord Kelly Yates
Keyla Costa
Stephanie Fryar Lindsay Sears Hailey Kinsel Jackie Ganter Natalie Bland
10. Heidi Gunderson
11. Lori Nelson 12. Molly Otto 13. Lexi Thyberg 14. Lakken Bice 15. Kristi Steffes
11. Bobbie Jo Barber 12. Haley Dewalt
Taryn Boxleitner Kelcey McNamee
$614 $439 $316 $263 $263 $219
Jennifer Guzzi (R)
Mejrusa Rustemovic (R) Kachena Lesmeister
$973 $940
14. Theresa Stannard 15. Willie Horzepa
10. Ilyssa Riley
$82
Jenna Pruitt
11. Tiany Schuster 12. Janet Staton 13. Jordon Briggs 14. Jamie Olsen
CALIFORNIA 1.
GREAT LAKES 1.
10. Loralee Ward 11. Alex Odle (R) 12. Mackenzie Scott
Payton Schoeppach
$18,516 $15,259 $11,535 $7,243 $6,211 $5,903 $4,484 $3,913 $3,844 $3,577 $3,012 $2,828 $2,688 $2,456 $2,402 $4,758 $4,560 $4,199 $2,167 $2,107 $1,867 $1,665 $1,665 $1,539 $1,285 $1,193 $1,071
Austyn Tobey Jillian Zaun
$4,946 $2,463 $2,262 $1,664 $1,630 $1,619 $1,580 $1,551 $1,435 $1,348 $1,174 $1,168 $1,124
$88 $76
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Kathy Petska Hayle Gibson Shelby Bates
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Lindsay Leverington Lauren Tremblay (R)
15. Victoria Procter (R)
PRAIRIE 1.
TURQUOISE 1.
Tracy Nowlin Emily Griffin Paige Jones
$6,044 $4,733 $4,704 $4,305 $3,554 $3,354 $3,132 $2,878 $2,822 $2,446 $2,241 $2,237 $1,777 $1,641 $1,423 $16,879 $16,443 $12,992 $12,949 $11,461 $10,013 $8,642 $7,204 $7,066 $5,402 $4,356
Shelley Holman Miley Bunting (R)
Sara Winkelman
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Casey Mathis Tara Seaton
Stephanie McCready
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Ali Anton
Jamie Lenzner Tasia Behnke (R)
Leslie Smalygo Wenda Johnson
Sabrina Ketcham Sarah Kieckhefer Doskie Edwards Bailee Switzer Kortni McConnell Madison Bean Mariah Morgan
Kaillee Hamre
Maren Powers (R)
Lacinda Rose
Emily Beisel
10. Tonia Forsberg
10. Jesse Alsup 11. Caitlyn Clair
Lindsey Muggli
11. Vicky Cook
Ivy Hurst
12. Sheena Robbins 13. Madison Camozzi
12. Aubrey Sprouse 13. Bailey Stuva 14. Jenna Beaver 15. Maggie Smith (R)
Emma Charleston
10. Ivy Saebens
14. Leia Pluemer 15. Nellie Miller COLUMBIA RIVER 1.
$972 $835
11. Ryan Ivy
10. Jana Bean
12. Chelsie Shoop 13. Michelle Darling 14. Suzanne Brooks 15. Dona Kay Rule
11. Barbara Johnson 12. Carly Longo (R) 13. Karsen Jackson (R) 14. Kailee Murdock 15. Shannon Griffin
MAPLE LEAF 1.
Rachelle Riggers Kacey Gartner
Lynette Brodoway Rusty Rae Woodward
$2,972 $2,594 $2,382 $2,143 $2,013 $1,721 $1,166
$957 $910 $854
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Sharon Gow
Lakota Bird
SOUTHEASTERN 1.
Julia Johnson (R) Cheyenne Allan
Bradi Whiteside Taylor Manning Melissa Thiessen Karli Cowie (R) Diane Skocdopole
WILDERNESS 1.
Margo Crowther
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Nicole Love Taylor Carver Erin Wetzel Ashley Parks
Sue Smith
$7,063 $2,000 $1,883 $1,428 $1,389 $1,222
Kaycie Kayser Teri Bangart
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Macee McAllister
Kailey Mitton Sara Cheeney
Jessica Dawn Lewis
$767 $654 $536 $354 $107
9.
Karen Gleason
Brooke Wills
Chloe Gray
Jennifer Kalafatic
10. Colleen Kingsbury
10. Shely Spielman 11. Kyla Simmons 12. Rene LeClerq
Cindy Patrick
Kellie Collier Stacy Glause
11. Leigh Parker
Kristin Hanchey Dallas Sawczak
$857 $589 $571 $265
12. Megan McLeod-Sprague
Marquel Moser (R)
13. Pamela Coker 14. Marty Warren 15. Jordan Minor
$907 $765 $728
MONTANA 1.
10. Sarah Rose Waguespack
Jessica Miller
Hailey Garrison
$3,021
11. Sally Young
10. Leslie Schur
16 WPRA NEWS JUNE 2023
BUS INESS
DIRECTORS & SPOKESWOMEN
PRESIDENT Jimmie Munroe 254-722-5128 jmunroe@wpra.com VICE PRESIDENT Heidi Schmidt Belfield, ND (701) 928-0260 Heidi.schmidt@wpra.com BADLANDS Circuit Director
COLUMBIA RIVER Circuit Director Rainy Robinson Caldwell, ID 208-870-5256 rainy.robinson@wpra.com Spokeswomen Lexi Burgess Megan Sprague Abby Sutfin
MONTANA Circuit Director Dillon McPherson
Phoenix, AZ 602-615-7663 Jenna@wpra.com Spokeswomen Barb Johnson Toni Karr Sarah Kieckhefer Stacey Padilla Tibba Smith Carly Todd
Spokeswomen
Event Directors Team Roping TBD Tie-down roping Kari Nixon Spokeswomen Badlands Brandi White California Allie Hoskins Liz Hirdes Columbia River Lynn Rodriguez Shayla Currin First Frontier Emily Fabian Great Lakes Danni Clover Montana Jacey Fortier Mountain States Erin Johnson Prairie Christi Braudrick Southeastern Lindsey Pender Texas Jordan Hollabaugh Turquoise Lynn Smith Wilderness Jessica Brinkerhoff
Jeanne Anderson Emily Beisel Jamie Chaffin Emma Charleston Michelle Darling Ari Anna Flynn Korrina Hughes Tracy Nowlin Beau Peterson Tana Poppino SOUTHEASTERN Circuit Director Bricklee Miller Starkville, MS 662-418-3963 bricklee@wpra.com Spokeswomen Brandi Geiger TEXAS
Wolf Point, MT 406-650-8458 Dillon.McPherson@wpra. com Spokeswomen Cierra Erickson Jill Ferdina
Lindsay Kruse Darae Larson Laura McPherson Valee Miller Katie Rasmussen Maria Taylor MOUNTAIN STATES
FIRST FRONTIER Lead Spokesperson Eileen Lang-Kramme
WILDERNESS Circuit Director
Nicole Bice Killdeer, ND 605-553-4546 Nicole@wpra.com Spokeswomen
Julie Herman Bluffdale, UT 801-548-4797 Julie.Herman@wpra.com Spokeswomen Meka Farr Kali Jo Parker Amberley Snyder Melissa Taylor Terri Wood Gates ROPING DIVISION Director - R1 Christi Braudrick Caddo, OK 918-207-9757 Christi@wpra.com Director - R2 Lynn Smith Elfrida, AZ 520-678-6702
Pilesgrove, NJ 856-364-7130 Eileen.lang.kramme@wpra. com Spokeswomen
Lakken Bice Hallie Fulton Nikki Hansen Cally Kindred Lisa Lockhart Jessica Routier
Circuit Director Carla Johnson Laramie, WY 307-761-1800 Carla.Beckett@wpra.com Spokeswomen Shali Lord Melanie Luark Wendy McKee Kelcey McNamee Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi Kim Schulze Mackenzie Scott Shelly Risner Vossler PRAIRIE
Jody Stockton Dawn Powell Beth Borowy Kris Roy Kristin Weber
Circuit Director Lois Ferguson West, TX (254) 744-2878 Lois.Ferguson@wpra.com Spokeswomen Stephanie Fryar
CALIFORNIA Circuit Director Sheena Robbins Fresno, CA 559-940-2638 Sheena@wpra.com Spokeswomen Vicki Cook
GREAT LAKES Circuit Director Melora Potter Marion, KY 270-704-0865 Melora@wpra.com Spokeswomen Sandi Brandli Ronda Casey Cassy Hooks Lindsay Leverington
Stevi Hillman Kelly Kaminski Shelley Morgan Kylee Scribner Jimmie Smith Tew Kelly Tovar Martha Wright TURQUOISE Circuit Director Jenna Duhon
Kris Gadbois Katie Pascoe Kathy Petska Christina Porter
Circuit Director Cindy Gillespie Ransom, KS 785-731-5306 Cindy@wpra.com
Lynn@wpra.com Assistant Directors Jennifer Casey Lari Dee Guy
Sissy Warren Conny Winkers
PROCOM TURNOUT/RELEASE DEADLINES Procedure: A contestant wishing to make a notified turn out or release must notify PROCOM no later than three hours prior to the performance/slack of which she is turning out, unless an earlier deadline applies (see follow- ing). Morning Slack: A contestant desiring to make a notified turn out or release for a morning section of slack must so notify PROCOM no later than the turn out deadline of the previous evening’s performance or 5 p.m. (Colo- rado Mountain Time) of the day prior to such section of slack if there is no performance the previous evening. It is important to remember that all times are based on Mountain Standard Time. The only official turnout or release is through PROCOM. Notifying the rodeo secretary is not official. PROCOM HOURS Entries and Call Back
DEADLINE FOR PAYING ENTRY FEES: 10.5.4 Contestants competing at the rodeo must pay entry fees to the rodeo secretary at the rodeo or entry fees must be received in the WPRA office by 3:00 PM Mountain time, Tuesday following the end of the rodeo. 10.5.4.1. Contestants turning out of a rodeo must have entry fees paid in the WPRA office by 3:00 PM Mountain time, Tuesday following the end of the rodeo.
CANADIAN INFORMATION C.P.R.A. Office (403)250-7440 Canadian Rodeo Entry System (800)661-8523 (403)250-7666 CRES Administration (403)250-7299 To enter CPRA rodeos, a current October 2014CPRA membership is required.
WPRA CREDIT CARD POLICY The WPRA will accept Visa/Mastercard/Discover/ Amex for the following: Dues • Fines • Entry Fees There will be a $10 charge on each transaction.
Mon. - Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. MT Weekends 8:30 a.m. until last deadline ProCom numbers: (800)234-PRCA (7722) ProCom Local & Trades Line: (719)548-4800 Online ProCom Entry – through WPRA Portal portal.wpra.com
HEADQUARTERS 431 S. CASCADE
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. 80903 (719) 447-4627 • FAX: (719) 447-4631 WWW.WPRA.COM BUSINESS HOURS: MON. - FRI. 8:30 A.M. - 5 P.M.
JUNE 2023 WPRA NEWS 17
TURNING PRO Kalli McCall and Mohawk Win Resistol Rookie Roundup By Tim Gentry N ineteen-year-old rookie barrel racer Kalli McCall rode to victory aboard “Mohawk” (Dr Nicks Cash) at the Resistol Rookie Roundup, presented by
The Cowboy Channel. Already leading the Resistol Rookie Standings coming into the Roundup, McCall added $3,656 in earnings over the two- day, three-run event, held at Ft. Worth’s historic Cowtown Coliseum. “First run, I was just going in, making a clean run,” explained McCall. “I knew he would clock and we would be fine. From there on out, I knew to just go in there and do the same thing. I knew he was going to do his job no matter what. I just trusted him on that, we made our clean runs and it paid off in the end.” Her total earnings for the season are currently $16,560, more than $5,000 clear of second place Victoria Procter, and she intends to go hard the rest of the season. The cheerful young cowgirl from Lufkin, Texas, has had her eyes set on the Resistol Rookie title for a long time and her 2023 campaign is off to a great start. Turning pro isn’t just the fulfillment of a lifelong dream for McCall, it’s also the culmination of a career’s worth of effort she’s put into Mohawk, a
Kalli McCall, 19, has her eyes set on the Resistol Rookie of the Year title in 2023 in the barrel racing and she and Mohawk added $3,656 to those efforts during the Rookie Roundup. She is hoping to keep the momentum up as she embarks on her first summer run of rodeos. Photo by Roseanna Sales
sixteen-year-old gelding purchased for her when he was five and she was eight. A head horse when he joined the family, young McCall put the pattern on Mohawk, despite being quite intimidated at first. “I was terrified of horses,” said McCall with a hearty laugh. “So scared. I literally trotted the pattern on him for three years. I would ask my mom and dad, [Mendi and Kelby McCall], if I won a check from trotting the pattern.” Eventually their speed began to pick up as McCall got more comfortable, but Mohawk developed a nasty habit of ducking barrels.
He spent the next five years as her brother’s go-to heading horse. She didn’t run barrels on him again until high school when her primary mount was injured. The pair won that rodeo and have been winning together ever since. “Lots of hard work has been put into that horse,” said a grateful McCall, “but it’s been well worth it.” Currently on the college rodeo team in barrels and breakaway for Hill College in Hillsboro, Texas, it still doesn’t always register that she’s actually running as a pro. After having wanted it for so long, it’s taking some time to sink in. “It doesn’t seem real. I haven’t accepted that I’m turning pro,” she confessed. “I was talking to my boyfriend the other day and I said, ‘The pro girls are going to be here,’ and he said, ‘Kalli, what do you not understand? You’re a pro girl now.’ I said, ‘Oh, yeah. You’re right. I am!’” Mohawk is clearly a special horse and keeping him sound through the stress of his first full year on the Pro Rodeo circuit is obviously a top priority for McCall. Thankfully, she’s found a great partner in Dr. Cameron Stoudt at Equine Sports Medicine and Rehab in Pilot Point, Texas. “She is the absolute best,” said McCall, “and has helped since day one on keeping him going and feeling good.” McCall has her schedule all mapped out through Cowboy Christmas and beyond, but it’s her first time hauling hard and there’s lots to learn. Thankfully she’s still got Mohawk with her after all these years. They’ve grown up in rodeo, bonded through time and toil and triumph. Whatever challenges come their way this year, they’ll overcome like they always have: together.
Kalli McCall raced her way to the finish line at the second annual Resistol Rookie Roundup, presented by Cowboy Channel in Ft. Worth. She currently leads the rookie barrel racing standings with $16,600, with Victoria Procter the next closest at $11,451. Photo by Roseanna Sales
18 WPRA NEWS JUNE 2023
JUST LIKE THAT Sullivan Secures Name in History Books, Ropes Way to Top at the Rookie Roundup. By Josie Fladager Q uincy Sullivan backed “Cricket” into the tiny Cowtown Coliseum box, unique with the bleachers hanging over the top of it, with confidence for their final run at the second annual Resistol Rookie Roundup presented by Cowboy
Channel. She and the sorrel 13-year-old gelding registered as San Joes Ltl Haida have only been together since February but the duo have been attending the weekly rodeos at Northside to practice their start in preparation for this moment. The 19-year-old New Mexico cowgirl had drawn the calf Erika Frost had roped in 2.5 seconds to win the first round. The ropers ahead of her had missed, but Sullivan wanted to stick to the same game plan that had gotten her to that final round. “My plan going into the week was just to keep knocking them down and catching and staying behind the barrier. So going into that last run I was just going to see my start and go catch him,” Sullivan said. And she did exactly that. With a time of three seconds flat, she claimed the Rookie Roundup breakaway title, and moved to sixth in the Resistol Rookie standings overall. Sullivan was busy the week of the Roundup, as she was the only cowgirl to compete in both the breakaway and barrel racing at the event. For the barrel racing, Sullivan was mounted on “Judge,” a 6-year-old grey gelding that her family had bought young and trained themselves. Sullivan noted that while she typically enjoys roping more than running barrels, Judge can back into a box to chase a calf or steer just as well as he can run down the alley into a barrel pattern. The pair started their summer off well, placing at the Guymon (OK) Pioneer Days Rodeo. “We trained him so he’s pretty special to us,” Sullivan said. “I can rope on him too, so having him in the trailer isn’t that bad. If I want to go to a team roping jackpot, I’m able to ride him.” Sullivan grew up in rodeo, with a family legacy dating back to her
grandad, Larry Cohorn, making the NFR in the tie-down roping. Her father made the College National Finals and is a Turquoise Circuit Finals champion. “I was basically born into rodeo. They said I would cry to have to get off my horse when it was time to feed and put everything up, because I always wanted to ride,” Sullivan recalled. After the Rookie Roundup, Sullivan drove back to Clarendon, Texas to complete her freshman year at Clarendon College. Sullivan also college rodeos, and the agricultural business major finished in a tie for sixth in the NIRA Southwest Region breakaway standings, just four places out of making the College National Finals. She plans to compete at Clarendon for one more year, and then transfer to Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas. This summer Sullivan plans to travel with childhood friend and fellow rookie Kenzie Kelton to rodeos up north. Sullivan is hopeful for the summer but is trying to focus on one calf at a time. “We’re going to go and hopefully catch and win as much as we can,” Sullivan said. “Going into things like this you want to win it, but you can’t really think about winning it. You have to take each rodeo step by step to get year-end results.” While Sullivan might be a rookie, her place on the Smarty Pro Team with breakaway ropers like Jackie Crawford, Shelby Boisjoli, and Kelsie Domer has given her some insight into what it looks like to rodeo full time. Sullivan is grateful to be able to receive advice from the best in the industry, while also getting to help the next generation of ropers through Smarty’s Clinics. “It’s nice getting to know [the team] and be a part of them, and know that everybody wants everybody to win,” Sullivan said. “It’s nice to have those kinds of people around when you’re rodeoing as hard as we do.” Quincy Sullivan came out swinging at the second annual Resistol Rooke Roundup presented by Cowboy Channel. Sullivan, the only WPRA member that competed in both events, it was the breakaway roping where she landed on top. She picked up a good check and kept her in contention for the rookie title at the end of the year. She is ranked 7th as she enters the summer run of rodeos and is hoping to pick up good money over the next three months to move closer to No. 1. Photo by Roseanna Sales
Quincy Sullivan said she was just taking it one calf at a time at the 2023 Resistol Rookie Roundup, which led to her finishing atop the leaderboard when all the roping was complete. She plans to do the same as she embarks on her first year on the road for the profitable summer run. She is hoping that approach will land her a rookie title at season’s end. Photo by Roseanna Sales
JUNE 2023 WPRA NEWS 19
WINNER’S CIRCLE Here is a brief look at some of the winner’s or highest placing WPRA member from the rodeos over the past month. Congratulations to all the winners and a big thank you to all the rodeo committees and volunteers that provide this opportunity to the members.
PAMELA COKER | Grand Coulee, WA | Photo by Bill Lawless
MAKAYLA MACK | Claremore, OK | Photo by Robby Freeman
IVY HURST | Claremore, OK | Photo by Robby Freeman
LESLIE SMALYGO | Claremore, OK | Robby Freeman
PRESLIE REID | Mineral Wells, TX | Photo by Kay Miller
BETHANY STALLONS | Farmington, MO | Photo by Phillip Kitts
20 WPRA NEWS JUNE 2023
JENNA BEAVER | Farmington, MO | Photo by Phillip Kitts
CHRISTI BRAUDRICK | Vernon, TX | Photo by Dale Hirschman
KAMIE LANDOLFI | Vernon, TX | Photo by Dale Hirschman
KEYLA COSTA | Vernon, TX | Dale Hirschman
MARTHA ANGELONE | Vernon, TX | Photo by Dale Hirschman
JUNE 2023 WPRA NEWS 21
2023 WPRA FUTURITY/DERBY POINTS Unofficial standings as of June 2, 2023
FUTURITY
DERBY
NAME
HORSE
POINTS
NAME
HORSE
POINTS
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Shelby Bates Shelby Bates
No Pressure On Fame SH Famously Smooth JD Jackson Kandyman
215 160 120
1. 2. 3.
Kathy Grimes C.J. Vondette
KG Jukebox Hero Treasured Brave
65 50 45 45 45 40 40 35 35 35 30 25 25 15 10 10
Heidi Gunderson Alyssa Gabrielson Ashley Peterson Kathy Grimes
Charleen Ornellas Kathy Grimes Kay Blandford Rylee Shields Brandee Wardell
Johns Gotta Streaker
Rare Kelly
80 75 70 65 60 60 55 45 40 40 40 30 30 30 30 30
KG Blazin Cash
Aint Seen A Love Man
Coats Smooth Honor
Streakin Justice
6.
Cheyenne Fab
Kelly Cook
Streakin Lil Hayday
Trust Your Journey
C.J. Vondette
Zsa Zsa
8.
Erin Bayler Josie Adkins Carley Cervi
Cheep Thrills DR Slick Bar Slym Shady Midnight Son
Hilary Hilzendeger
Sevs One Slick Chick A French Silhouette RF Bugin For Cookies JustAnuther Goodbye FrostysKandyman Little Fame N Money Hot Judge By Design
10. Amberleigh Moore
11. Fonda Melby 12. Erin Williams
11. Viki Friedrich 12. Ashton Padon
Tex Walka
Brandee Wardell Monica Gillespie
Alanna Bobsin
Metallic Maeden Marthas Miracle
14. Leigh Anne Robertson
15. Sandra Highland
15. Shyann Lucas
The Final Judgement Smooth Money Raider
Alyssa Gabrielson
Absolut Okey
Margaret Jones
Abi Price
LL Sister Christian Rockin Stilettos
Ashley Day Sara Pringle
FrenchmansWickedSide
2023 JUNIOR DIVISION STANDINGS Unofficial Standings as of June 2, 2023 1. Kara McDonald Brunswick, GA
2D FUTURITY NAME
HORSE
POINTS
1.
Karen Gleason Kalie Anderson Kalie Anderson Amanda Radford Ashley Peterson Charleen Ornellas
Look Batman Screwdriver
35 35 35 35 30 30 30 25 25 25 20 20 20 20 20 20 20
$13,154 $9,462 $8,560 $7,731 $5,489 $4,601 $3,870 $3,863 $3,839 $3,770 $3,711 $2,369 $2,258 $1,957 $1,926
FireballMakesMeHappy
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Hailey Thompson Merrick Moyer Makayla Maddie Patton Ann Lynch
Columbia, MS Woodward, OK Auburndale, FL
Maximus Fooler
5.
Aint Seen A Love Man Famous Blue Oceans KG DontBLeveMeJusWach
Crawford, TX
Viki Friedrich
Alyssa Sloan Kaitlyn Sims Brynn Hinton Alexis Lynch
Citra, FL
8.
Brandee Wardell Lyndee Stairs Conny Winkers
FrostysKandyman Otro Bada Boom DHR Fire Up Perks LL Sister Christian
Elkton, FL
Waxahachie, TX
Crawford, TX Riverside, CA
11. Abi Price
10. Ruby Lightfoot 11. Jada Sanchez 12. Abigail Poe 13. Brooke Mosley 14. Brielle Washatko
Tonya Burchard
GQH Voodoo Firewater French Off Ima Angel
LaBelle, FL
Hilary Hilzendeger Brandee Wardell
Fitzgerald, GA
Simply High
Citra, FL
Jamie Harris Haley Huls
Mi Amore Ta Fame High Illumination Hot Judge Ta Fame
Antigo, WI
15. Emma Hite
Vero Beach, FL
Sandra Highland
FATHER’S DAY continued from page 15
little black pony alongside Speed and his horse, even if the weather was less than optimum. “Her mother would never tote a phone around, so when I was gone, I could never get ahold of my wife,” Speed said. “I told Hali, ‘If I could get you a phone, would you keep it charged so I could get ahold of you?’ She said, ‘Yes, Daddy.’ She was 2 or 3 years old; she was always a little businesswoman, so I got her a phone. “I raised my kids to try to think as adults and give them the opportunities to make mistakes while I was around to educate them through that and learning. She’s been a very easy child.” There’s a no-nonsense way of handling things around the Williams home, but nonsense seems to find its way in. Take Gabe, Hali’s little brother. He tends to keep things light. There’s not really any pressure to live up to Speed Williams’ name; it’s all she’s ever known. Jennifer is the encourager, the person with the strong hand to keep Hali lined out, while Dad offers his wisdom.
He also keeps things light in his own way. One of Hali’s cherished moments came when Jennifer and Gabe were gone, and it was just Hali and her dad. “He comes in there and asks if I wanted anything for dinner,” she said, a smile cracking through her voice. “He was going to make spaghetti. He’s got noodles on the stove. No meat. No sauce. Just noodles. I had all this excitement, and I realized that I could make noodles myself.” She will tell that story the rest of her life, and she’ll laugh at the comedy of plain spaghetti noodles for dinner. Mostly, though, Hali Williams will honor her father for the lessons he has provided to her and the love he continues to share with her. “I think the thing that makes him the most special is his try,” Hali said. “He gave up his career for me and my brother. He raised us the way he wanted to. I think that means a lot.”
22 WPRA NEWS JUNE 2023
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