Area roper Blake Deckard earned a spot in the Professional Rodeo Circuit Association National Finals Rodeo. The National Finals will be held at the Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane, Kansas on Nov. 1-2.

“Its a relief and an honor at the same time to finally make it. I have been roping my whole life and was 10th in the World Standings before I hurt my knee,” Blake Deckard said.

Deckard had to overcome a major injury after tearing his ACL in June.

“I got in the gym and worked my tail off. I did everything I could to get back on my horse and compete. It was in Gods timing,” Deckard said.

Deckard accomplished his goal even after the rest of his circuit competition began two months prior. Deckard battled back, placing fifth at Cheyenne, Wyoming where he won $5,000 and placed fourth in Pendleton, Oregon winning $6,200.

“You know the grass at Pendleton is kind of scary and I was worried about my knee but my friends encouraged me and I prayed about it. When it was over I jumped from ranking 18th to 15th. I have been blessed to have met and be friends with a lot of people but the time I competed in Decatur, Texas, my parents, my wife Audra and Roy Cooper (seven-time world champion) and Trevor Brazil (26-time world champion) were there to cheer me on,” Deckard said.

The Top 15 steer ropers in the PRCA based on PRCA/ RAM World Standings at the end of the regular season head to their own national Championship in November. Deckard is the son of Keith and Tina Deckard of Wagoner and the husband of Audra Helms Deckard of Eufaula.