Braylon Tryan Named PRCA Resistol Rookie of the Year

The team roping heeler secured the prestigious honor after finishing the 2026 season with over $71,000 in total earnings.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Rodeo

Expressive editorial sports illustration of a team roping cowboy on horseback mid-action, capturing the high-energy motion of professional rodeo competition. — Team roping heeler Braylon Tryan has been named the 2026 PRCA Resistol Rookie of the Year following a season with $71,486 in earnings. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Braylon Tryan has officially won the PRCA Resistol Rookie of the Year award for team roping heelers. He concluded his 2026 campaign with $71,486.90 in earnings and a 34th-place ranking in the world standings.

Why it matters

The Resistol Rookie of the Year award is determined by total seasonal earnings, highlighting the top performers entering the professional ranks. Tryan joins a select group of rodeo athletes honored for their breakout success during the regular season.

Tryan earned $71,486.90 during the 2026 season, placing him 34th in the world standings. His family member Tyler Tryan earned $206,163.42 during the regular season, finishing second among team roping headers.

The players

Braylon Tryan

He is the 2026 PRCA Resistol Rookie of the Year award winner for team roping heelers.

Tyler Tryan

He is a professional team roper who finished second in the 2026 PRCA regular-season header standings.

The details

Tryan achieved multiple victories throughout the season, including top finishes at The Iron County Fair, the Oakley Independence Day Rodeo, the Bell County PRCA Rodeo, and Resistol's Stampede at the Ike. He will be formally recognized for his accomplishments during the upcoming Wrangler National Finals Rodeo events.

The PRCA regular season concluded at the end of September 2026.
The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo is scheduled for December 3 to December 12, 2026, in Las Vegas.
Award winners will be honored on December 8, 2026, during round six of the NFR.

Season Trajectory

This award marks a significant milestone in Tryan's career as he establishes himself within the professional rodeo ranks. His success sets the stage for future NFR appearances, reflecting the ongoing shift in the competitive landscape for team roping heelers.

Tryan's 34th-place world standing reflects his performance against the sport's top competitors throughout the year. The upcoming NFR in Las Vegas will feature a record purse of $14,270,736, influencing the total potential earnings for the sport's elite participants.

The takeaway

Rookie success in professional rodeo is quantifiable through seasonal earnings and tournament victories across the regular season. Aspiring ropers can look to consistent high-place finishes at regional fairs and rodeos as a foundational path toward national honors.