College life didn’t pan out for Colton Swearingen, but that hasn’t stopped him from gaining an education from the best in the business while he’s in Oklahoma. He stopped the clock in 4.7 seconds to take the steer wrestling lead at the Oklahoma City ProRodeo.
(PHOTO BY NICOLE STEVENS)

 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Colton Swearingen moved to Oklahoma for an education.

His time in college didn’t last that long, but he’s been learning a lot more about his selected trade by remaining in the Sooner State. He showed that those in-person classes are paying off with a 4.7-second run to take the steer wrestling lead during Friday’s opening performance of the Oklahoma City ProRodeo at OG&E Coliseum.

“I’ve been really lucky to be around really good guys,” said Swearingen, 25, from Cowlesville, New York, but living in Coleman, Oklahoma.

There is a ton of steer wrestling talent in Oklahoma, including world champion Tyler Pearson and another National Finals Rodeo qualifier, Sean Mulligan. Both live in southeastern Oklahoma and have joined another NFR bulldogger, Bray Armes, in helping Swearingen further his education on the rodeo trail.

“We bulldog at Sean’s or go to Tyler’s, and those guys help you with your hazing or your bulldogging or your horses or anything like that,” Swearingen said. “Those guys have been there and done that, and they can help guide you a little bit, point you in the right direction.

“They’re just good guys to be around because they know how to win.”

Winter weather hit Oklahoma on Friday afternoon, but Swearingen and a trio of other steer wrestlers – Laramie Warren, Tyler Ravenscroft and Logan Mullin – braved the conditions to battle for the bucks in the state’s capital city.

“We wanted to come anyways, and it wasn’t really going to get bad until this evening,” Swearingen said. “It’s not too far, so we’ll just creep on home.  We ain’t got anywhere else to be, so we can go slow and take out time.”

The poor weather is supposed to remain through most of the weekend, but organizers are planning to continue the rodeo through the final two performances, which begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are available at McCoyRodeo.com.

Once Swearingen figured out the steer he’d been matched with via a random draw, he and the others tried to do a little homework on the animal.

“Tyler Ravenscroft called J.J. Miller about him and let me know, and that steer was just what J.J. said he was,” the New York cowboy said. “With the snowstorm and stuff and not everybody coming, I knew I just had to catch and throw him down. I’m glad it worked out.”

He will remain in the region for a few more months, hitting what rodeos he can. When the summertime arrives, he’ll return to the Northeastern United States to handle some business and rodeo when his schedule allows.

“I’m going to go where I can and just have fun doing it,” Swearingen said. “I’ve rodeoed hard the last few years, and I’m taking a year to get my things back in order. I’m sure I’ll venture off to some rodeos and stuff when I want to, and I’ll sure enjoy doing it.”

As a lifelong cowboy, there are gold-buckle dreams and playing the game on the biggest level. That means qualifying for the NFR.

“I’ve just got to keep putting my head down and win more,” he said. “I think that time’s coming. I need to get my things in order, get some horses and get back to rodeoing.

“Wherever God puts me, that’s where I’m at right now and going with that.”

Oklahoma City
Jan. 23-25
Bareback riding: 1. Cian Daly, 74 points on McCoy Rodeo’s Transient Grandf; 2. Koltdyn Heath, 73; no other qualified rides.

Steer wrestling: 1. Colton Swearingen, 4.7 seconds; 2. Laramie Warren, 4.9; no other qualified runs.

Team roping: 1. Britton Grinstead/Clint Heller, 7.1 seconds; no other qualified runs.

Saddle bronc riding: 1. Justin England, 85 points on Mo Betta Rodeo’s Timex; 2. Christopher Nelson, 84; 3. Dylan Suhr, 73; 4. Zane Magner, 72; 5. Jake Schlattman, 71; 6. Bryett Larsen, 79.

Tie-down roping: No qualified runs.

Barrel racing: 1. Rachel Wrkmen, 16.40 seconds; 2. Katie Chism, 16.69; no other qualified runs.

Bull riding: No qualified rides.