By Ted Harbin, TwisTed Rodeo
LAS VEGAS – Looking at the final numbers, Cole Franks had a fantastic run at the National Finals Rodeo.
He led the aggregate standings most of the way, only to be surpassed on the final night by world champion Dean Thompson, but Franks still produced at a high rate over the 10-day championship. He finished second in the average, worth more than $70,000, and placed seven times, earning $156,340 in Las Vegas.
“It was really good on paper,” said Franks, a three-time NFR qualifier from Clarendon. “A couple more points here and there would have been great; about one and a half points would have been great.”
He rode 10 horses for a cumulative score of 853.5 points, a half point behind Thompson. That extra he had hoped for would have earned Franks the coveted average championship and another $16,000. Still, he finished the campaign sixth in the world standings with $295,896.
“It was a good week, but that title would have been the cherry on top,” Franks said.
He wrapped his 2024 campaign with an 87-point ride n Frontier Rodeo’s Breaking News, which earned him a tie for sixth place with Jess Pope. Each man earned $2,717 for that.
In fact, it’s serving as motivation for him to build toward next season. His plan is to return to the bright lights of Las Vegas and contend for the world championship. His immediate goal, though, is to finally win a round.
Through 30 nights of competing at the NFR, he has yet to win a round, which also means he collects the lion’s share of the money on that night. Round winners are also celebrated at the South Point Hotel and Casino for a nightly presentation and receive a Montana Silversmiths buckle for the honor.
“It’s going to take me 31 rounds, the first round next year I’m getting that,” he said. “I’ve got five days before I’m off to my next one, so I just want to keep it rolling.”
If he had the chance, Franks would get on 10 more bucking horses in a row. He’ll have to wait until next December, and he has a plan to make everything happen.
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