Mize takes Xtreme Bulls title with late heroics

Tristan Mize would be right at home on any ranch or rodeo arena and Saturday he made the drive to Lawton pay off in grand fashion as he posted an 89.5 score to win the title in the Liberty National Bank Xtreme Bulls Classic at the Great Plains Coliseum.

The Bryan, Texas, cowboy will take a check for more than $11,000 home with him for staying aboard Guess Who from the Frontier Rodeo Company during the final 10-rider session as the event closed before a small but loud crowd.

“I had taken a couple years off and just started competing this season,” Mize said. “I didn’t have any injury or anything but I just decided to slow down for a time.”

Mize did some homework before coming to Lawton.

“I got online and looked at a few videos of that bull and I knew he was the type of bull you could win on,” Mize said. “Getting the win makes you think about hitting the road more in the next few weeks.”

Mize didn’t go through the college ranks but he just got out and started tie-down roping and bull riding, which is a strange combination but right now he’s eager to keep hitting the road and see what he can win.

“I’m going to go out west for a couple of rodeos and then head back to San Angelo for my bull down there,” he said. “I saw my draw down there but I haven’t looked for any video of that bull.”

Mize was one of several contestants who broke into the money with good rides Saturday night. JR Stratford of Byers, Texas, rode Show Off for an 89 to finish in a tie for second with Claremore’s Matt Palmer. Tyler Mills and Caleb McCaslin shared fourth and fifth with 88s.

McCaslin would have loved to stick around and celebrate his 88 score from Friday but when you are a young rider trying to make as many events as possible, you compete and then hit the road.

“I’m headed south to San Angelo,” the Jones cowboy said. “I am trying to win the Rookie of the Year and that means I have to make as many events as possible. I did good at Denver and I’ve been winning some checks. Of course, I’d love to be riding out of those yellow chutes at the National Finals Rodeo in December but right now I’m just going as hard as I can to win some good checks.”

McCaslin is like so many cowboys who have their own plans when it comes to scouting their next draw.

“I’m one of those guys who likes to know something about my bulls but I don’t go overboard,” he said. “Every rider has their own thoughts on how much information they need. I’m somewhere in the middle. I want information but I don’t want to get all wrapped up in seeing three or four videos.”

Once again, one of the highlights was the Junior Bull Riding sponsored by Hilliary Communications. Brennan Polito of Marietta had the top score with a 78, one point better than Brayton Bingham of Bray. Payte Polito, the 9-year-brother of Brennan, was third with a 75 and Miles Turner of Comanche was next with a 68. Saturday’s best ride was a 72.5 from Tucker Brogden.