TIMED EVENT CHAMPIONSHIP

Great watching. The TEC was not as exciting as usual, as Trevor Brazile lead all the way and had 50 some odd seconds to trip his last steer. Herbert Theriot was second and Steve Duhon was third. This is from the Saturday Oklahoman, they haven't posted the final story yet. What this story doesn't say is Duhon also lost his mother about a week before the TEC....

Duhon in top form despite ups and downs

In a matter of three months, Steve Duhon experienced some emotional extremes.
The Sonora, Texas, cowboy was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in August. In November, Duhon's father, Billy, died.

With those events behind him, Duhon is geared for just about anything in the Timed Event Championship at the Lazy E Arena.

Duhon's started the day with him in 12th place; he heads into today's final go round in fifth. Duhon had the fastest time in Saturday aftrenoon's third go- round. Cash Myers of Athens, Texas, had the fastest five-event time Saturday night.

Today's action begins at 1 p.m.

Trevor Brazile of Decatur, Texas, has led this year's competition from the start and is in the driver's seat for the $50,000 grand prize.

Brazile has the best cumulative time of 246.4 seconds through four rounds. Luke Branquinho of Los Alamos, Calif., is second with 276.7. Herbert Theriot of Poplarville, Miss., is third with 300.6.

The personable Duhon was honored when placed with the sport's all-time greats.

"The Hall of Fame (induction) was pretty neat because it's something you don't just win," Duhon said. "To be seen as having such an impact on the sport makes me feel pretty good."

Duhon grew up in Opelousas, La., and helped with his father's racing operation, but he always knew what he really wanted to be.

"I pretty much always wanted to be in rodeo," he said. "I started competing in high school; rodeo was popular in my hometown. There were 40 or 50 bulldoggers in my school. A lot of kids were interested."

In central Louisiana, many youngsters stayed near horse flesh. In addition to being a busy rodeo area, Opelousas and surrounding communities produced many jockeys, both in the thoroughbred and quarter horse ranks.

Billy Duhon was a fixture on the Louisiana racing circuit.

"He trained horses for 38 years at Evangeline Downs, Delta Downs and at the Fair Grounds," Duhon said. "I worked with him until I was in college."

Steve Duhon, who played football at LSU, turned to ProRodeo in 1985. He has been at the Timed Event Championship for 10 years. Steve is a three-time world champion in steer wrestling and is tied for the fastest run in history. Duhon and Bryan Fields share that mark of 3.0 seconds.

Duhon proved he is still in top form in his best event. But he didn't stop there.

Duhon was the fastest header in both sessions. In the afternoon, he was among the leaders in heeling and steer roping. He accomplished all five events in 49.8 seconds during the afternoon.