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

From Joe Beaver and Cody Ohl to Caleb Smidt and Riley Webb, here’s the complete list of every tie-down roper to earn the Resistol Rookie of the Year title.

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)