story by Jennie Lawrence
Springville, Utah cowboy Connor McKell is the Rocky Mountain Professional Rodeo Association (RMPRA) 2020 Champion Steer Wrestler. Connor has been a member of the RMPCA for three years. While he used to do tie-down roping, team roping and steer wrestling, he now just focuses on the latter event. It is his favorite. He is also a member of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA.)
Connor has been rodeoing ever since he can remember, from mutton busting at junior rodeos up to the professional level. He competed in high school rodeo with the Utah High School Rodeo Association, but never went farther than Silver State International Rodeo in Winnemucca, Nevada. “I would take the whole fall season of rodeo off to play football. I won the steer wrestling at the Intermountain Ice Breaker High School Rodeo,” (Ogden, Utah.)
Connor qualified for the NIRA National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyoming in 2019. Unfortunately, he was unable to go, due to a lack of credit hours the previous semester. He was unaware of the issue until the semester was over.
Connor attends Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. He will graduate this spring with a Bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurship and a minor in business management. He also has an Associates degree in business management from the same institution.
The cowboy grew up in Salem and Springville, Utah. His mother lived in Salem, Utah and his father lived in Springville. He went back and forth between the two households. When he was 12-years-old his mother moved to Mapleton, Utah where he attended Mapleton Junior High School, and Maple Mountain High School. He is one of 12 siblings.
Ladies, here is your chance. “I am single, and ready to mingle,” Connor quipped.
His mother, stepmother, and dad are his biggest supporters. “He helps fund my rodeo addiction,” Connor said about his father. Connor goes to 50 or 60 rodeos a year, including college, amateur, and circuit rodeos. He estimates he and his traveling partners put 10,000 to 20,000 miles on their combined rigs. The furthest he has traveled for a rodeo is to Montana. He likes to listen to everything from old country music like George Strait and Chris LeDoux, to hard rap depending on his mood.
Connor rides a 19-year-old gelding named Logan. He is an American Quarter Horse. Connor bought Logan from a friend after using him for a summer when his former steer wrestling horse suffered an injury.
The cowboy prepares for each rodeo by trying to mentally block out everything that is going on in his life except for the run he is about to make. “In my opinion, I think at least 80% of my success in rodeo depends on my mental state. If I can mentally tell myself how the run will go then it is more likely to happen.” Connor feels confident in his physical ability every time he backs Logan into the box. “When I get my mental ability to the same level, I feel like no one can beat me.”
His future goals include making a run for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo eventually, and winning there. His current goal is to win the steer wrestling for the Wilderness Circuit.
He has not had any major wrecks rodeoing; however, he did get knocked out for about 20-seconds one time in high school. He leaned too far forward while steer wrestling, and the steer set up. The horns hit Connor in the jaw and knocked him out cold.
Connor prefers to be outside doing something rather than being cooped up inside. He loves boating in the summer, and snowmobiling in the winter. When he gets the chance to do something fun outside, he takes full advantage of it. Even his job takes him outdoors. He is a project manager for McKell Construction, Incorporated. The company specializes in land development.
Connor’s favorite quote is by Lane Frost. “Don’t be afraid to go after what you want to do, and what you want to be. But don’t be afraid to be willing to pay the price.”
