Heeler Dawson McMaster stops the clock in 6.3 seconds with partner Dexton Hoelting to win the Oklahoma City ProRodeo presented by Tractor Supply Co. McMaster won the title a year ago with Hoelting’s older brother, Cam, when it was the final PRCA rodeo in Jim Norick Arena, then won this weekend at the first ProRodeo in its replacement, OG&E Coliseum.
(PHOTO BY NICOLE STEVENS)

 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Heeler Dawson McMaster has the rare distinction of being a two-time champion of the Oklahoma City ProRodeo presented by Tractor Supply Co. in its first two years of existence.

He’s also won in two buildings with two headers who share the same last name and the same genetics. Last January, McMaster won the team roping title with Camden Hoelting at the last PRCA rodeo in Jim Norick Arena. On Sunday afternoon, he repeated but with Dexton Hoelting at the first PRCA rodeo in OG&E Coliseum.

“This is just his second (ProRodeo) ever,” said McMaster, 36, of Madison, Kansas. “I was lucky enough to win the last one with Cam at the old building, so it’s pretty cool to win this one for the first time in here.

“Deston is a lot younger than Cam, just a freshman in college, but he’s been learning off his brother. We practice together every day, so it sure works out good for us. He’s been learning, trying to figure it out and just trying to get a little bit better every day. He sure works at it.”

It’s paying off, the two stopped the clock in 6.3 seconds for the fastest run of the rodeo.

“Roping with Dawson has been great,” said Hoelting, 19, a student at Western Oklahoma State College from Olpe, Kansas, just a few minutes’ drive from McMaster’s home in the Flint Hills. “Cam decided to go strictly ProRodeo, so him and Dawson split ways. I called Dawson and asked if he could do it with me, so here I am.”

It’s a good start to a new partnership. The duo competed Saturday night in Park City, Kansas, but were unable to score a time. They took their time driving through packed snow conditions to make it to Oklahoma City, so the adventure was a success.

“I didn’t know if we were going to be able to make it,” McMaster said. “We waited until this morning, then decided to try to make it. I’m glad we did.”

McMaster will return to action with Cam Hoelting next weekend during the Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo at Pawhuska, Oklahoma, to wrap the 2025 campaign. After that two-day rodeo is complete, McMaster will jump back in with Dexton Hoelting, who a year ago at this time was in the middle of a basketball season that saw Olpe High School win the Class 1A state title – he finished with 24 points in the championship-game victory.

His focus now is on rodeo, though he’s not afraid to test his talents in pickup basketball games.

“I’d like to make the circuit finals and be up there at the top of (a couple amateur associations),” he said. “I’m really excited to be with Dawson, because he’s a veteran. He’s been around it for forever, and he knows where to go. He’s done really good with me and helped coach me along the way, so I’m hoping I can keep making strides, and we can just keep getting our run faster.”

It was fast enough in Oklahoma City, and Hoelting and McMaster have a title to prove it.

Oklahoma City ProRodeo
Oklahoma City
Jan. 23-25
Bareback riding: 1. Jade Taton, 82.5 points on McCoy Rodeo’s Rachel, $880; 2. Tristan Hansen, 80.5, $670; 3. Blayn Hughston, 77, $440; 4. Kash Martin, 76, $220.

Steer wrestling: 1. Hazen Sparks, 4.2 seconds, $968; 2. Adam Musil, 4.3, $801; 3. Chris Bechthold, 4.6, $634; 4. Colton Swearingen, 4.7, $467; 5. (tie) Laramie Warren and Shawn Musil, 4.9, $234 each.

Team roping: 1. Dexton Hoelting/Dawson McMaster, 6.3 seconds, $1,107; 2. Kyler Kreder/Joe Day, 6.4, $917; 3. Paul Tierney/Tyrel Larsen, 6.9, $726; 4. Jhett Vander Hamm/Shannon Frascht, 7.0, $535; 4. Britton Grinstead/Clint Heller, 7.1, $344; 6. Brandon Farris/Braden Harmon, $191.

Saddle bronc riding: 1. Justin England, 84.5 points on Mo Betta Rodeo’s Timex, $1,247; 2. Christopher Nelson, 84, $945; 3. (tie) Trygg Madsen and Clay Greenslade, 77, $567 each; 5. (tie) Roper Kiesner, 76.5, $227 each.

Tie-down roping: 1. McKade Wickett, 10.5 seconds, $1,307; 2. Paul Tierney, $1,138; 3. Ryler Allred, 13.4, $967; no other qualified runs.

Barrel racing: 1. Kallie Gates, 16.00 seconds, $1,414; 2. Emily Griffin, 16.24, $1,212; 3. Jaycee Pritchett, 16.36, $1,010; 4. Rachel Werkmen, 16.40, $876; 5. Robbie Stearns, 16.51, $674; 6. Crystal Glidden, 16.55, $539; 7. (tie) Darla Hoover and Suzanne Van Ness, 16.63, $337 each; 9. Katie Chism, 16.69, $202; 10. Sherry Assmann, 16.75, $135.

Bull riding: No qualified rides