CASPER, Wyo. — Walla Walla Community College cowboy Cody Hudson overcame an injured collarbone to win the bull riding national championship at the College National Finals Rodeo on Saturday night.
Hudson was hit by the bull during Thursday’s third ride, where he earned a 77.5 for fourth place.
He knew he needed a 75 to win the event at the short go on Saturday night.
“He was hurting bad,” WWCC rodeo coach Buster Barton said. “We talked about it, and he had a chance to win it. There was no way he wasn’t going to ride! But I know it hurt him.”
On Saturday night, he got some help from his competition turning in no scores, and rode to an 82 himself for an average of 159.5 and the national title.
“Shoot, when they bring these bulls in the short round, they’re buckers,” Hudson told the Casper Star-Tribune, “and you should be able to be 75. You should be able to be 90 on any of them.
“So I know that if I got the bull rode and everything worked out, I’d be able to be on top.”
The Warriors also had saddle bronc rider Tucker Hill finish in eighth place at the CNFR.
Hill turned in a 71.5 in the first go on June 12, a 66 in the second on June 14, and had a no-score in the third before coming through with a 68 in the short go on Saturday, good for eighth.
“It’s fun for a two-year school to go back and compete against four-year schools,” Barton said.
The CNFR marks the end of the season for WWCC. The Warriors pick up Northwest Region action again in October.
“It’s a long season!” Barton said.
