PAYSON — Twenty-two-year-old Wesley Silcox is a concise man who doesn't feel the need for multiple words. When asked how it felt to be the newly crowned World Champion Bull Rider, he just said, "Feels awesome."
Silcox and six other Utahns recently finished competing against the world's best rodeo athletes at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. After nine intense rounds of clinging for dear life atop bucking bulls, Wesley Silcox found himself poised to capture something he'd dreamed about for years — a world championship.
Brad and Julie Silcox, Wesley Silcox's parents, watched from the stands Saturday night as their son mounted a bull called Wolf Can Do. As seasoned rodeo spectators, they knew their son would have to stay on the bull for the entire eight-second count, or hope another cowboy would get bucked, to have a shot at the title.
The chute burst open and they watched as Wolf Can Do started to spin. Wesley Silcox bobbled for a moment — but only a moment — then he took control and rode out the clock. As he jumped from the bull, the crowd jumped to its feet and started "hollering," Brad Silcox said. The performance earned him a score of 91.5 out of a possible 100. Though the winner wasn't announced till later, Brad Silcox knew his son had hit championship pay dirt.
"He rode his bull and proved he's the champion he is," Brad Silcox said.
The last Utahn to become a world champion bull rider was Ogden resident Blue Stone, who won back-to-back titles in 2001 and 2002.
Aside from a place in rodeo history and a championship ring, Wesley Silcox earned nearly $118,000 over the course of the 10-day rodeo. Not bad compensation for eight seconds of riding time per day, Brad Silcox chuckled.
The six other rodeo stars from Utah also gave strong performances at the national rodeo. Jess Davis of Payson finished second in bareback riding, earning about $81,500. Oakley resident Anthony Bello, Milford resident Cody Wright and Lehi resident Rusty Allen finished fifth, seventh and eighth respectively in the saddle bronc riding division. Jake Hannum of Ogden finished twelfth in tie-down roping, and Vickie Solmonsen of Riverton finished twelfth in barrel racing.
Sunday night, Wesley Silcox and his parents returned home to Payson and found more than 60 community members waiting to welcome them with banners reading "Congratulations, Wes Silcox" and "World Champion Bull Rider." Payson Mayor Burtis Bills called Wesley Silcox an example for the community and a natural bull rider.
"He made it look almost too easy," Bills said.
Though Wesley Silcox won the rodeo circuit's highest honor, he doesn't plan on hanging up the chaps and riding off into the sunset anytime soon. He expects to stay around to give other cowpokes a run for their money at the next national rodeo. And the one after that, and the one after that.
"I think I've still got 10 more good years in me," he said.
E-mail: jdana@desnews.com