Duvall wins steer wrestling at SandHills Rodeo

He’s a businessman, an athlete, a director on the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association board.

Most of all, though, he’s a cowboy - a bulldogger, to be specific - and he comes by it naturally. Steer wrestling was a major part of Duvall’s life long before he was born 34 years ago, passed down from his father and uncle, the latter being three-time world champion Roy Duvall, a member of the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.

“There’s something about it,” said Duvall of Checotah, Okla. , the Steer Wrestling Capital of the World. “I love what I do.”

On Saturday night during the final night of the six-performance SandHills Stock Show and Rodeo, Duvall turfed his steer in 4.4 seconds. That, combined with his 4.0-second run a week ago in the first round, gave him the average championship with an 8.4 time on two head. His Odessa earnings should propel him near top of the bulldogging world standings.

He the fourth member of his family to have qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, following in the footsteps of uncle Roy Duvall, cousin Tom Duvall and brother Sam Duvall. Spud has played on ProRodeo’s grandest stage twice in his career, 2001 and 2004. His traveling partners make up 14 more qualifications and one world title: Jason Lahr, 6; Stockton Graves, 5; and 2006 champ Dean Gorsuch, 3.

“I’m fortunate that I get to go with some of the best guys in the sport, Jason, Stockton and Dean.” Duvall said. “I couldn’t do it all without them.”

Duvall is still among the best in the business, despite the potential distractions from his position as steer wrestling representative on the boar.

“I’ve really focused on my bulldogging so I don’t let those distractions happen,” he said. “And I’m blessed in that I represent the best group of guys in the business. They’re real good about leaving me alone when I’m trying to bulldog, so I can focus on that and take care of the other things later.”

He’s hoping a good start to 2009 will lead to his third qualification to the Wrangler NFR.

“I’ve made it to the finals both ways,” Duvall said. “In 2001, I had a good start at all these winter rodeos, but in 2004, I started off slow and had to chase it pretty hard.

“I’d just as soon start good and have all those guys chasing me.”

RESULTS - Sixth performance, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009

Bareback riding:
1. Matt Bright, Stephenville, Texas, 81 points on Harry Vold Rodeo Co.’s Painted Valley; 2. Zach Curran, Arvada, Colo., and Josh Cole, Quitman, Texas, 81; 4. Krlon Knudson, Arvada, Wyo., James Sursa, Bluebell, Utah, and Tim Shirley, Conifer, Colo., 76.

Steer wrestling: Sixth Round:1. Spud Duvall, Checotah , Okla. , 4.4 seconds; 2. Gabe Taylor, Valentine, Nebl., and Linn Churchill, Valentine, Neb. , 4.9; 4. Brad McGilchrist, Wheatland , Calif. , 5.1; 5. Mike Dickey, Caldwell , Texas , 10.8.

Tie-down roping: 1. Marty Jones, Hobbs, N.M., and Shane Erickson, Terrebonne, Ore., 8.9; 3. Randall Carlisle, Lipan, Texas, 9.4; 4. Joseph Gernentz, Colorado City, Texas, 9.9; 5. Cole Bailey, Okmulgee, Okla., 11.8.

Saddle bronc riding: 1. Roy Johnson, Etna, Calif., 82 points on Vold’s Dusty Dan; 2. Kaleb Asay, Powell, Wyo., 81; 3. Bryan Hammons, Victoria, Texas, 80; 4. Billy Herbert, Marble Falls, Texas, 79; 5. Kobyn Williams, DeBerry, Texas, 78.

Team roping: 1. Luke Kropik, Midway, Texas/Kent Nixon, Midland, Texas, 6.4 seconds; 2. Cole Dorenkamp, Lamar, Colo./Jesse Echtler, Huntsville, Texas, 7.2; 3. JoJo LeMond, Andrews, Texas/Randon Adams, Logandale, Nev., 9.5; 4. Bobby Boyd and Jimmy Martinez, 16.3; no other qualified times.

Barrel racing: 1. Cassie Moseley, Farwell, Texas, 13.90 seconds; 2. Terra Bynum, Colorado City, Texas, 14.01; 3. Tiffany Fox, Fox, Okla., 14.04; 4. Kelly Maben, Spur, Texas, 14.34; 5. Christine Laughlin, Pueblo, Colo., 14.40.

Bull riding: 1. Kanin Asay, Powell , Wyo. , 83 points on Bad Company Rodeo’s Born To Boogie; 2 Jarrod Ford, Greeley , Colo. , and Howdy Cloud, Kountz , Texas , 82; 4. Dave Samsel, Hazlet , Texas , 81; 5. Aaron Lide, Odessa , Texas , 79.