Team All-American Dodge wins first go-round going away

By Ted Harbin
Posted Saturday, January 3, 2009

ODESSA, Texas - The tallest bullfighters in the pen made the biggest move on opening night of the Professional Bullfighters Daisy Protection Bullfight World Championships on Friday at the Ector County Coliseum.

Team All-American Dodge, represented by Dave Jantzi of Sugar Creek, Ohio, and Toby Inman of Davis Junction, Ill., took advantage of aggressive bulls to win the first round of the championship, which takes place in conjunction with the SandHills Stock Show and Rodeo in Odessa.

“That first bull we had, it was like I was in my back yard just having fun,” said Jantzi, 26. “You can ask my partner, I was pretty nervous coming in, but I settle down and concentrated on having fun.”

Team All-American Dodge scored 88 points to take the lead in the overall competition, which will continue through all six rounds of the SandHills Rodeo. They outdistanced second-place finishers Team Mann Creek Buck-n-Bulls, represented by Jay Brewer of Graham, Texas, and Steve Wangler of Plainview, Neb.

Brewer and Wangler continue to hold a slim lead in the 2008 world standings and fought some adversity when Brewer went down with an injured knee on the team’s first of four bulls.

“Coming in here and competing against this group of guys is an honor to start with,” said Inman, who, along with Jantzi, qualified for his first World Championships. “Then to come out on top on the first night is just great. I can’t explain it.”

The PBF protection-bullfight competition is based on developing a contest among some of the greatest athletes in ProRodeo – the guys that for years have been hired hands to protect fallen bull riders. This provides a competitive edge to these talented athletes.

“Dave and I work well together, and like most partners, we argue from time to time,” Inman said. “But we agree to disagree, and the big thing for us is that when it comes to the arena, we know who needs to be where to get the job done.”

RESULTS

First performance, Friday, Jan. 2, 2009

1. Team All-American Dodge, Dave Jantzi, Sugar Creek, Ohio/Toby Inman, Davis Junction, Ill. 88 points;
2. Team Mann Creek Buck-n-Bulls, Jay Brewer, Graham, Texas/Steve Wangler, Plainview, Neb. 70;
3. Team Cavenders, Andy Burelle, Ardmore, Okla./Dusty Tuckness, Meeteetse, Wyo., 69;
4. Team Daisy, Joe Garretson, Springfield, Mo./Cory Wall, Burlington, Colo.;
5. Team Buster’s Well Service, Lance McIlvain, Arlington, Texas/Wacey Munsell, Ulysses, Kan., 65.