Breakaway roper Makenzie Dowell wasted no time in making a statement at this year’s event, stopping the clock in a blistering 1.5 seconds. Dowell’s closest competitor heading into the final week of competition is Karmen Martin in a time of 2.2 seconds. Dowell is from Marlin, Texas, and is competing on her permit. A win in Odessa will easily help her fill her permit that she bought in October. This would be her first big win in ProRodeo.
Another permit holder, Maylee McCrary, is currently leading the barrel race in Odessa with a 14.46 second run. McCray, from Bryson, Texas, was a WPRA Junior member in 2022 and purchased her permit in 2024.