Vacation Paying off for Illinois Steer Wrestler
WACO, Texas --- It’s been a couple of years since steer wrestler Wade Steffen has been to Texas.
When he had qualified for the All American ProRodeo Finals presented by Pendleton Whisky, there was no question about him going. He wanted a vacation from the north and came south to enjoy Texas hospitality and of course the mild weather.
Steffen is doing more than just enjoying the atmosphere in the Extraco Events Center. He had the fast time of the night in steer wrestling in his first appearance here. And, he had to work to get it done. Beau Clark, from Bokchito, Okla., set the pace early with a 3.8-second run. Then Justin Davis from Bartonville, Texas, had a 3.7. Garrett Nokes from McCook, Neb., took the lead with a 3.6 all while Steffen looked on.
When Steffen’s turn came, he stopped the clock in 3.5 seconds and took home the first place buckle and more importantly the check that goes with it. That money will earn him a spot in Thursday’s progressive round and he has opportunity to add to it tomorrow.
“It feels great to get that done and the pressure is off for tomorrow,” Steffen said. “I can just let it roll and see what happens. I’m hoping to win enough here that I can get into San Antonio and Houston and plan vacations in February and March.”
Money won here doesn’t count in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world standings, but it is added to 2010 earnings for qualification into winter rodeos which limit their entries. The rodeo works to the advantage of contestants like Steffen who were not in the top 50 in the world standings prior to this event.
Morgan Grant from New Waverly, Texas, is the only contestant in the field that is competing in two events. The tie-down roper and steer wrestler made good roping on Tuesday. He stopped the clock in 8.2 seconds to win first. He didn’t get a check in steer wrestling, so will be working towards that Wednesday night in hope of advancing to the progressive round and vying for twice the money.
The sixth performance of the rodeo starts Wednesday night at 7 p.m.
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WACO, Texas --- The following are unofficial results from the fifth performance of the All American ProRodeo Finals presented by Pendleton Whisky, held at the Extraco Events Center at the Heart O’ Texas Fair Rodeo, Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2010.
Bareback Riding: 1, Matt Bright, Azle, Texas, 81 points on Rafter G Rodeo’s Wrangler Bucks. 2, Mickey Downare, Hartsell, Colo., 79, $1,854. 3, Danny Webb, Cottonwood, Calif., 78, $1,236. 4, (tie) Cody Demers, Kimberly, Idaho; Zach Dishman, Beaumont, Texas; and Bo Casper, Fort Scott, Kan., 77, $206.
Tie-Down Roping: 1, Morgan Grant, New Waverly, Texas, 8.2 seconds, $2,471. 2, Scott Kormos, Teague, Texas, 9.5, $1,854. 3, Trevor Thiel, Greeley, Colo., 10.7, $1,236. 4, Nate Baldwin, Blackfoot, Idaho, 11, $618.
Steer Wrestling: 1, Wade Steffen, Richmond, Ill., 3.5, $2,471. 2, Garrett Nokes, McCook, Neb., 3.6, $1,854. 3, Justin Davis, Bartonville, Texas, 3.7, $1,236. 4 (tie), Beau Clark, Bokchito, Okla.; Sean Mulligan, Coleman, Okla., and Stan Branco, Chowchilla, Calif., 3.8.
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Jace Garrett, Alliance, Neb., 81 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Earth Bound, $2,471. 2, Heith DeMoss, Heflin, La., 80, $1,854. 3, Cole Elshere, Faith, S.D., 75, $1,236. 4, (tie) Ty Thompson, Wanblee, S.D., and Troy Crowser, Whitewood, S.D., 73, $309.
Team Roping: 1, Cody Graham, Everton, Mo., and Boogie Ray, Mabank, Texas, 4.9 seconds, $2,471. 2, Tommy Edens, Gatesville, Texas, and Justin Hendrick, Rosenberg, Texas, 5.2, $1,854. 3, Justin Parish, Mineral Wells, Texas, and Trey Johnson, Amarillo, Texas, 6.3, $1,236. 4, Dustin Foree, Newman Grove, Neb., and Troy Hermelbrecht, Homer, Neb., 6.9, $618.
Women’s Barrel Race: 1, Anessa Self, Valley View, Texas, 16.09, $2,472. 2, Kristen Williams, Carthage, Texas, 16.13, $1,854. 3, (tie) Sioux Smith, Simonton, Texas; Maegan Reichert, Mount Pleasant, Texas; and Jesse Eagleberger, Stringtown, Okla., 16.25, $618.
Bull Riding: (three rides) 1, Clayton Savage, Casper, Wyo., 86 points on Rafter H Rodeo’s Who’s Next, $2,472. 2, Tag Elliott, Thatcher, Utah, 1,854. 3, Jimmy Anderson, Bayfield, Colo., 70, $1,236.
