NATIONAL FINALS RODEO

Texan aims for own title History might be repeating itself at this year's Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. In 2001, Rope Myers of Van left the Thomas and Mack Arena with a gold buckle for being the world champion steer wrestler. That year, Myers qualified for the NFR in 14th place after a spectacular showing at the Texas Stampede. His younger brother Cash, from Athens, was the 15th and final steer wrestler to make it to the big show. This year, Cash again was the final man to qualify, and he is hoping to leave Vegas with a championship of his own. He's made a great push already, with two second-place finishes. Myers is second in the aggregate standings with a time of 7.8 seconds on two runs. Lee Graves of Calgary, Alberta, leads with 7.4. Jumping from 15th to ninth place ($12,368 in NFR earnings), has given the younger Myers a definite opportunity for a championship if he keeps up the pace. "I know how important it is to be consistent," Cash said. "We've come from behind before. It would be great to do it again." Jason Lahr of Emporia, Kan., leads the world standings with $132,231. Ronnie Fields of Oklahoma City, who won the second round, is in second place....
Simms cowgirl shines for second straight night at NFR Simms High graduate Molly (Swanson) Powell continued her fine performance, and a trio of Montana bronc riders earned checks to highlight the efforts of Treasure State athletes Saturday night at the 47th annual National Finals Rodeo. Powell, who placed second in Friday night's first go-round of barrel racing to pocket more than $12,000, placed third Saturday to pick up another $9,300. In the saddle bronc riding, Glendive's Shaun Stroh tied for fourth place to earn $5,300, while Dan Mortensen of Billings and Josh Reynolds of Corvallis tied for sixth place and earned $1,262 apiece. Meanwhile, Mike Johnson grabbed the lead in the tie-down roping season standings and the team roping duo of Jake Barnes and Kory Koontz also moved to the top of the PRCA leaderboard. In tie-down roping, Cade Swor of Winnie, Texas, won with a run of 7.9 second. Johnson, from Henryetta, Okla., finished fourth in 8.1, to top the world standings with $125,980....
Allen rides to victory in Round 2 It was a great night for Utah cowboys at the National Finals Rodeo. After finishing in second and third place in the first round, saddle bronc riders Rusty Allen and Cody Wright stepped it up a notch in the second round Saturday night. Alen, from Lehi, rode Kool Toody for 89 points, earning first place and $15,649. "I'm tickled to death with my draws so far this year," Allen said of his success here. "Physically, I'm lucky. I'm healthy and nothing is sore or hurting." Wright, from Milford, again finished one spot behind Allen. He scored an 87 on Secret Agent. He earned $12,367. Allen leads in the aggregate standings here with 176 points on two rides. Wright is in second with 172.5 points. Allen is sixth in the world standings and Wright is ninth. A broken leg at the Cody (Wyo.) Stampede over the Fourth of July caused Wright to miss much of this year's rodeo season. He had been successful enough early in the year to qualify for the NFR and just returned to competition at the Texas Stampede in November....
Rasmussen rodeo's top clown again Flint Rasmussen of Choteau was selected the PRCA Clown of the Year for the eighth straight year. Rasmussen was also chosen the Coors Man in the Can for a seventh time. Rasmussen was among the contract personnel, stock contractors and rodeo committees that were honored this past Thursday at the PRCA's Contract Personnel Awards Banquet in Las Vegas. Rasmussen is working his eighth consecutive National Finals Rodeo, which started on Friday night. However, this will be Rasmussen's last NFR for a while. Earlier this fall, he announced he had signed an exclusive five-year contract with the Professional Bull Riders. Rasmussen will work only PBR events in 2006. Joe Baumgartner was chosen the PRCA Bullfighter of the Year for a second straight time, while Stace Smith, of Athens, Texas, was selected the PRCA Stock Contractor of the year. Ike Sankey, of Sankey Rodeo Company, was also one of the finalists for stock contractor of the year honors. Wayne Brooks won his first PRCA Announcer of the Year, while Sunni Deb Backstrom was the secretary of the year. Backstrom is formerly from Ovando....
Johnson takes lead at Nat'l Finals Rodeo Mike Johnson grabbed the lead in the tie-down roping season standings and the team roping duo of Jake Barnes and Kory Koontz also topped the world leaders Saturday night after the second round of the National Finals Rodeo. In tie-down roping, Cade Swor of Winnie, Texas, won with a run of 7.9 second. Blair Burk of Durant, Okla., and Monty Lewis of Hereford, Texas, tied for second at 8.0. Johnson, from Henryetta, Okla., finished fourth in 8.1, to top the world standings with $125,980. Fred Whitfield of Hockley, Texas, was second at $125,116. In team roping, Shain Sproul of Benson, Ariz., and Kinney Harrell of Brady, Texas, and Steve Purcella of Hereford, Texas, and Britt Bockius of Claremore, Okla., tied for first with times of 4.4 seconds. Barnes, from Scottsdale, Ariz., and Koontz, from Sudan, Texas, finished third in 4.6, to move past Clay Tryan of Billings, Mont., and Patrick Smith of Midland, Texas, for the world lead with $102,735 apiece....