The 2025 Resistol Rookie calf roping race is packed with young guns making big moves, and five frontrunners are already separating themselves from the field.
While more than 30 rookies are battling it out this season, here’s a look at the top five as of June 19.
No. 5, Max Mathis
Earnings: $10,064
Hometown: Morristown, Arizona
At 23, Max Mathis is an all-around hand who’s earning his stripes in both the tie-down and the bulldogging. So far this summer, Mathis has placed at Coleman, Gladewater and Winnsboro, plus notched a second-place finish at the Resistol Rookie Roundup in Fort Worth.
No. 4, Clint Southworth
Earnings: $11,186
Hometown: Bagdad, Kentucky
Southworth, 23, is repping the Great Lakes Circuit. So far this spring and summer, Southworth won a round at the Resistol Rookie Roundup and has placed at Dover, Kansas City, Crossett and New Albany. Southworth is a CNFR qualifier for the University of Tennessee at Martin.
No. 3, Cash Fuesz
Earnings: $17,094
Hometown: Eureka, Kansas
Fuesz hit the gas early in the season, earning checks at Hempstead and the Permit Finals, then taking the average win at the National Western qualifier. This spring and summer, the 21-year-old added average money at Guymon and a placing at Vernal. A Prairie Circuit standout, Fuesz won the 2023 Circuit Finals average and finished 2024 as the Reserve Champion Tie-Down Roper.
No. 2, Brey Yore
Earnings: $25,262
Hometown: Rupert, Idaho
A 2025 CNFR qualifier for South Plains College, Yore, 22, is not only second in the rookie tie-down standings but also leads the all-around race. His season highlights include round wins at the San Antonio Qualifier, second in the average at Odessa and checks at Denver, Redding, Moab, Kanab and Sisters.
No. 1, Tyler Calhoun
Earnings: $30,058
Hometown: Richards, Texas
Calhoun’s rookie year launched with a bang after winning the average at the Permit Finals and earning a spot at RodeoHouston, where he advanced to the Semifinals and took home a total of $4,000. The 19-year-old is a former National High School Champion and 2024–25 CNFR qualifier, having earned All-Around Champion and Reserve Tie-Down titles in the Southern Region. This summer, he’s won money at Liberty Hill, Parker and Eagle ProRodeos.