Kids take top prize in 15.5 for $60K

At just 16 years old, Owen Gillespie of Castroville, Texas, has made his presence known during Wrangler BFI Week, highlighted by a $30,000-per-man win in the 15.5 Roping with Maverick Lozano, just 18, of Huntingdon, Tennessee.

The pair were last-minute partners. Gillespie’s partner for the 15.5 had a conflict with a college-rodeo short round, and Lozano’s didn’t end up being able to come, either.

“Maverick was the best run I could find,” said Gillespie, who just last year was competing at Little Britches rodeos. “I just texted him yesterday and swapped him this morning for my partner.”

Both young cowboys had also competed in the Jr. BFI the day prior. Gillespie had made the finals and earned $1,750, but Lozano had tough luck. Switching horses for the 15.5 event made all the difference, he said. Once they were in the short round, the callbacks were so tight that only 2.4 seconds separated the top nine teams.

“We drew really good in the second round,” said Lozano.

Gillespie and Lozano, at high callback, watched the three preceding teams all make smooth runs and apply some heat. But the teenagers made a snappy run of 6.12 to clinch the win and $60,000 cash.

“I just wanted to do my job and head the steer and give Maverick the best handle possible; keep it simple,” said Gillespie, who had just won the Oil Capital Classic 13.5 a couple of days earlier with Cooper Young.

Both champs credited their parents with hauling them “everywhere” to get them prepared for going 28.54 seconds on four hard-running steers behind the 19-foot score.

March 28, 2026 by Julie Mankin