Dylan Hancock was 8.0 in the final round to win Rodeo Austin and the average with 25.0 on three head, collecting $15,793 and moving to No. 8 in the PRCA world standings.
Hancock set the tone early with a 7.6 in Round 1 to win $5,277, then came back in Round 2 knowing he didn’t have to be the fast, just clean.
“The first calf, I wasn’t real sure about,” Hancock said. “Kind of knew she might be a little wilder but I got a good start and it worked out. In the second round, I knew I just needed to tie one down.”
He did just that in Round 2, turning in a 9.4 to stay in control heading into the finals.
“The second calf ran a pretty tough pattern,” Hancock said. “Stepped off the left and tied good, but you dang sure had to go over there and get her.”
That 9.4 wasn’t flashy, but it kept him exactly where he needed to be in the average.
Hancock’s for taking
Hancock was the second to last man to back in the box in the finals and the round was wide open.
“I knew a lot of guys had some tough luck,” Hancock said. “But backing off is not really my deal. When I try to back off, things go south.”
Hancock did what he does best and went fast, stopping the clock at 8.0 to win the round and lock down the average.
“The short round calf was really good,” Hancock said. “I hit the barrier and she was trying to get away, but I reached and got her and it all worked out.”
His finals run earned him another $2,600, while the average win added $7,916 to bring his Rodeo Austin total to $15,793.
Earl for the win
Hancock did it all aboard Major A 2009, “Earl”—the same horse he rode to win the National Western Stock Show & Rodeo earlier this year.
With two major winter rodeo wins now under his belt, Hancock’s 2026 season is starting to take shape.
“No doubt, winning Denver and now Austin helps,” Hancock said. “I’ve for sure had a better winter than I’ve had any other year, but the summer’s where all the money’s at. You just kind of get in the groove out there in the summertime.”
At No. 8 in the world standings with $36,827 earned this season, Hancock has positioned himself well heading into the California rodeos in April.
He plans to keep pushing through the spring, hauling with Cole Clemons again this year and even mixing in some team roping along the way.
“We’re going to have some fun with it this year,” Hancock laughed.