Petaluma resident Broc Cresta grew up in Santa Rosa riding ponies and roping on his family's ranch on Mark West Springs Road. He went on to become of the country's best steer ropers.
Mr. Cresta died of unknown causes on July 29, 2012 while at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo in Wyoming. He was 25.
A fourth-generation cowboy in California, Mr. Cresta's parents, Dan and Kelline, owned Mexican Corriente cattle and organized roping jackpots all over California. Mr. Cresta graduated from Santa Rosa High, primarily through an independent study program.
Mr. Cresta was a talented roper from an early age. He was the 2007 PRCA Rookie Heeler of the Year and he competed in the past two Wrangler National Finals Rodeos, with Turtle Powell in 2010 and last December in Las Vegas. At the time of his death, he was ranked 14th among heelers in the world team roping standings, the highest-ranking Californian. He finished 12th overall in 2011.
He is survived by his parents, Dan and Kelline Cresta of Santa Rosa; and brother, Brent Cresta of Cloverdale.
Funeral services are at 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3 at the Wells Fargo Center in Santa Rosa.
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