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Joe Frost captures first Linderman Award

               COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -Joe Frost accomplished two of his biggest goals this year – qualifying for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and winning the Linderman Award.The 22-year-old from Randlett, Utah, said he’s dreamed of both honors as long as he can remember.

“Obviously, going to the NFR is a big deal for me, but so is winning the Linderman Award,” Frost said. “I’ve always looked up to the all-around guys, and it’s something I’ve wanted to win ever since I heard about it. It’s pretty exciting, and I’d like to win it every year until I quit rodeoing.”

The Linderman Award recognizes excellence at both ends of the arena. To qualify, a cowboy must win at least $1,000 in each of three events, and those events must include at least one roughstock event and one timed event.

The award is named for ProRodeo Hall of Famer Bill Linderman, who won six world championships: all-around (1950, 1953), bareback riding (1943), saddle bronc riding (1945, 1950) and steer wrestling (1950).

Frost won $73,559 during the 2014 season, well ahead of 2013 Linderman Award winner Trell Etbauer, who earned $46,935. Third in the race for the prestigious honor was Kyle Whitaker, who has won the award a record six times.

Frost won $69,558 in bull riding – where he’s 11th in the world – plus $2,908 in tie-down roping and $1,092 in steer wrestling.

Frost is a senior at Oklahoma Panhandle State University and won the College National Finals Rodeo and National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association bull riding titles in June in Casper, Wyo.