Mon, Dec 01 2008
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Published May 30, 2007 12:47 am - Cowboy cashing in Third-year pro and Porum native making progress in rodeo career By Kenton Brooks Phoenix Sports Writer He came home for a quick stay at his home in Porum between trips to British Columbia and Olathe, Kan.
Two countries, two rodeos, one week — and a breath of hometown air. Such is the life of a professional rodeo cowboy Justin McDaniel. All the traveling is paying off as the 20-year-old is in sixth place in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s All-Around standings with winnings of $29,114 through 16 rodeos. The season started in January. “It’s really been a good year for me,” McDaniel said. “It’s my best start ever.” Of McDaniel’s winnings, $25,106 is in bareback competition, ranking ninth in the PRCA standings in that event. He also rides bulls. His best rodeo came in February in San Antonio when he won $16,000 and finished second in the bareback standings. It also came at a good time. “You only get paid if you win and there’s no guarantee in winning,” McDaniel said. “Right before I went to San Antonio, I thought I would have to go home for a while and go to work. I did good there and that allowed me to go (on the circuit) again. “Being a cowboy isn’t for everybody. You’ve got to be tough to do it. I know I’m gone all of the time. There are a lot of long nights and nights without any sleep. You’ve got to love to do it.” McDaniel finds it hard to explain why he loves being a cowboy. It’s something he’s done since he was 4. “I played baseball, football and basketball in high school but in rodeo, you’re competing against an animal,” he said. “I just love the adrenaline of it. I know it’s something I’ve wanted to do since I’ve been able to talk. It was born into me.” But McDaniel also knows what it’s like being unable to compete. He suffered two serious injuries last year — first a torn medial collateral ligament in his knee and later, getting kicked in the face by a bull, knocking him unconscious. “It’s tough to stay healthy,” the 2005 Porum High School graduate said. “I’ve had concussions over the years. But this year is the most I’ve been healthy in a while.” And, it’s the most McDaniel has been determined. He has his sights set on the National Finals Rodeo in mid-December at Las Vegas. He plans to ride in 75 rodeos this year, including the finals. 
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