Resistol Hosts 2024 Rookie of the Year Celebration Luncheon

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA — Resistol, one of the original sponsors of the PRCA and official hat of the PRCA, celebrated the 2024 Resistol Rookies of the Year with its tenth annual luncheon at the South Point Hotel & Casino. The Resistol rookies were honored and individually introduced during the noon hour at the South Point Hotel on the National Finals Rodeo Resistol Night. The rookies received airfare, tickets to the rodeo and hotel rooms to attend the special occasion.

“We love celebrating the Resistol rookies at the Super Bowl of rodeo, the Wrangler NFR,” said Mary Jane Carpenter, the brand director of Resistol. “The luncheon is where the gravity of their award sinks in for them. They watch Trevor Brazile, Tuff Hedeman and other legends in the arena, who were once in their shoes.”

First-year PRCA and WPRA cardholders compete for the Resistol Rookie of the Year award. Rodeo athletes only have one chance in their lifetime to win this prestigious achievement.

For the first time in rookie history, the All Around Rookie title is in contention during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Wacey Schalla, Cooper James and Cole Clemons from Okeechobee, Fla. are competing for the world title at the same time as the all-around rookie title. Each cowboy has combined earnings from two PRCA events.

In bull riding, three contenders are vying for the 2024 Bull Riding Resistol Rookie of the Year at the Thomas & Mack: Wacey Schalla from Arapaho, Okla., Cooper James from Erda, Utah, and Jeter Lawrence from Council Hill, Okla.

Congratulations to the 2024 PRCA and WPRA Resistol Rookies of the Year and the contenders!

2024 PRCA Bull Riding Resistol Rookie of the Year Contender - Jeter Lawrence, Council Hill, OK

2024 PRCA Bull Riding Resistol Rookie of the Year Contender - Wacey Schalla, Arapaho, OK

2024 PRCA Bull Riding Resistol Rookie of the Year Contender - Cooper James, Erda, UT

2024 PRCA Steer Wrestling Resistol Rookie of the Year -  Ty Bauerle, Jourdanton, TX

2024 PRCA Team Roping Header Resistol Rookie of the Year - Tyler Tryan, Lipan, TX

2024 PRCA Team Roping Heeler Resistol Rookie of the Year - Logan Moore, Dublin, TX

2024 PRCA Saddle Bronc Resistol Rookie of the Year - Zac Dallas, Las Cruces, NM

2024 PRCA Tie-Down Resistol Rookie of the Year - Cole Clemons, Lipan, TX

2024 PRCA Steer Roping Resistol Rookie of the Year - Trent Sorey, Pendleton, OR

2024 WPRA Breakaway Roping Resistol Rookie of the Year - Summer Williams, Victor, ID

2024 WPRA Barrel Racing Resistol Rookie of the Year - Oceane Veilleux

2024 PRCA All Around Resistol Rookie of the Year Contender - Wacey Schalla, Arapaho, OK

2024 PRCA All Around Resistol Rookie of the Year Contender - Cooper James, Erda, UT

2024 PRCA All Around Resistol Rookie of the Year Contender - Cole Clemons, Lipan, TX

During the Resistol Rookie Luncheon, family, friends and industry people enjoyed music by Lindsey Cardinale, a delicious meal, and a program led by emcees ProRodeo announcers Anthony Lucia and Scott Grover. The PRCA Resistol Rookies were presented with a personalized 30X Resistol hat, a beautifully fully-tooled trophy Cactus Saddle, a Resistol branded Yeti Cooler, a Resistol PRCA Rookie trophy jacket, Cavender’s gift cards, a gift certificate from Fastback Ropes, and a bonus check, compliments of Resistol.

HatCo., Inc. CEO, Dustin Noblitt kicked off the program and PRCA CEO Tom Glause congratulated the Resistol Rookies noting that they are the future of the sport. Resistol General Manager Devin Marcum and Resistol Brand Director Mary Jane Carpenter handed out the awards with congratulations.  

Previous rookies of the year and world champions addressed the current rookies with congratulations, sentiments of the title, and future advice as they continue in their careers. Of those included Trevor Brazile, the highest decorated cowboy in the PRCA and 1996 Resistol Rookie of the Year; Joe Beaver, 1995 Resistol Rookie of the Year and recent Vegas NFR Icon; Tuff Hedeman, eight-time world champion and ProRodeo Hall of Famer; John W. Jones, the first named Resistol Rookie of the Year in 1957; Luke Branquinho, 2000 Resistol Rookie of the Year and 14-time NFR qualifier; and Tyler Wade, reigning PRCA Team Roping World Champion.  

The Little Britches Rookies of the Year were also invited to the luncheon as a celebration of their hard work.

Congratulations to the 2024 National Little Britches Rodeo Association Resistol Rookies of the Year!

2024 Little Wrangler Resistol Rookie of the Year – J.W. McKitrick

2024 Junior Boys Resistol Rookie of the Year – McCoy Cooper

2024 Junior Girls Resistol Rookie of the Year – Alexandria Burton

2024 Senior Boys Resistol Rookie of the Year – Tyson Griffith

2024 Senior Girls Resistol Rookie of the Year – Ellie Tope

The finale of the celebration was The Resistol “Man of the Year” award. This award goes to those who go above and beyond to further the Western industry, the sport and the lifestyle and exemplifies what the Resistol brand means. Past recipients include country music star Cody Johnson, American Quarter Horse Association CEO Karl Stressman, Wildfire Open founder Billy Pipes and Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame announcer Bob Tallman.

Resistol awarded this year's title to Pete Carr, founder and CEO of Pete Carr Pro Rodeo.

The PRCA and WPRA Resistol Rookies of the Year were again recognized in the arena during Round 6 and Resistol Night with their Montana Silversmiths champion buckles presented by Dustin Noblitt, Devin Marcum and Mary Jane Carpenter.  

Resistol looks forward to returning to the South Point Hotel in 2025 for the next Resistol Rookie Celebration Luncheon!