Every Calf Roping Resistol Rookie of the Year: 1977-2025

Since 1977, the Resistol Rookie of the Year award has honored the top-performing first-year ProRodeo cardholders in each event.

Names like Joe Beaver, Cody Ohl, Fred Whitfield, Caleb Smidt, Haven Meged and Riley Webb all first etched their names into rodeo history by winning the Rookie of the Year title. For others, it marked the high point of a promising first season that proved they belonged in ProRodeo’s toughest ranks.

World Champions Who Started as Rookies of the Year

The list of calf roping Resistol Rookie of Year winners is stacked with legends who went on to win gold buckles.

• Dee Pickett (1978) – All-Around and Team Roping: 1984.
• Jimmie Cooper (1980) – All-Around: 1981.
• Joe Beaver (1985) – All-Around: 1995-96, 2000. Tie-Down: 1985, 1987-88, 1992-93.
• Fred Whitfield (1990) – All-Around: 1999. Tie-Down: 1991, 1995-96, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2005.
• Cody Ohl (1994) – All-Around: 2001. Tie-Down: 1997-98, 2001, 2003, 2006.
• Tuf Cooper (2008) – All-Around: 2017. Tie-Down: 2011-12, 2014.
• Shane Hanchey (2009) – Tie-Down: 2013.
• Caleb Smidt (2013) – Tie-Down: 2015, 2018, 2021-22.
• Haven Meged (2019) – Tie-Down: 2019.
• Riley Webb (2022) – Tie-Down: 2023-24.

Complete List of Calf Roping Resistol Rookie of the Year Winners

Here’s the full list of every calf roping Resistol Rookie of the Year from the award’s creation through 2025:

• 1977 – Steve Bland, Trent, Texas
• 1978 – Dee Pickett, Caldwell, Idaho*
• 1979 – Jerry Jetton, Stephenville, Texas
• 1980 – Jimmie Cooper, Monument, N.M.*
• 1981 – Jim Light, Santo, Texas
• 1982 – Clark Hankins, Rocksprings, Texas
• 1983 – James Zant, Harper, Texas
• 1984 – Harold “Puddin” Payne, Stillwater, Okla.
• 1985 – Joe Beaver, Victoria, Texas*
• 1986 – David Bowen, Yoakum, Texas
• 1987 – Ricky Canton, Houston, Texas
• 1988 – David Felton, Weatherford, Texas
• 1989 – Morris Ledford, Comanche, Okla.
• 1990 – Fred Whitfield, Cypress, Texas*
• 1991 – Brent Lewis, Piñon, N.M.
• 1992 – Marty Lindner, Giddings, Texas
• 1993 – Blair Burk, Durant, Okla.
• 1994 – Cody Ohl, Orchard, Texas*
• 1995 – Chad Johnson, Cut Bank, Mont.
• 1996 – Shane Slack, Idabel, Okla.
• 1997 – Clay Cerny, Eagle Lake, Texas
• 1998 – Chance Tinney, Winnsboro, Texas
• 1999 – Josh Crow, Lovington, N.M.
• 2000 – Kyle Hughes, Model, Colo.
• 2001 – Brady Brock, Springtown, Texas
• 2002 – Scott Kormos, Mexia, Texas
• 2003 – Clint Robinson, Farmington, Utah
• 2004 – Caddo Lewallen, Morrison, Okla.
• 2005 – Jerrad Hofstetter, Athens, Texas
• 2006 – Cody James, Monticello, Ark.
• 2007 – Sterling Smith, Stephenville, Texas
• 2008 – Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas*
• 2009 – Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La.*
• 2010 – Ace Slone, Cuero, Texas
• 2011 – Jud Nowotny, La Vernia, Texas
• 2012 – Reese Riemer, Stinnett, Texas
• 2013 – Caleb Smidt, Yorktown, Texas*
• 2014 – John “Catfish” Brown, Collinsville, Texas
• 2015 – Trey Young, Dupree, S.D.
• 2016 – Westyn Hughes, Caldwell, Texas
• 2017 – Tyler Milligan, Pawhuska, Okla.
• 2018 – Ty Harris, San Angelo, Texas
• 2019 – Haven Meged, Miles City, Mont.*
• 2020 – Luke Potter, Maple City, Kan.
• 2021 – Beau Cooper, Stettler, Alberta
• 2022 – Riley Mason Webb, Denton, Texas*
• 2023 – Dylan Hancock, San Angelo, Texas
• 2024 – Cole Clemons, Okeechobee, Florida
• 2025 – Tyler Calhoun, Richards, Texas

(*Denotes World Champion)