Palmer, McCaslin surge to top in Liberty Bank Xtreme Bulls

Caleb McCaslin would have loved to stick around and celebrate a dandy 88 score Friday at the Liberty National Bank Xtreme Bulls Classic 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 wound up second after Friday’s first performance at the Great Plains Coliseum and while there is a chance that he will win a good check, he has to survive a host of top bull riders who come to Lawton Saturday night to close out the two-day event.

The best effort Friday was an 89 by another Oklahoman, Claremore’s Matthew Palmer who stayed aboard Frontier Rodeo Company’s Wolf Up, one of several bulls that have NFR credentials, that had a tough spin that Palmer was able to manage well to take the lead.

However, there are 40 more top bull riders coming to town tonight including Trey Kimzey, Cody Teel, Josh Frost, Stran Smith and numerous other contestants who are among the top 40 on the world standings list.

Behind McCaslin and Palmer was Jake Roddy of Huntsville, Ark., who rode County Jail for an 87.5. There were three other qualified rides but those were in the low 80s and will be in jeopardy when the action resumes tonight at 7 p.m.

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. Those same contestants will return Saturday for another shot at the top honor.