Sundell Breaks Arena Record at Heartland Championships

By Susan Kanode
Posted Tuesday, October 13, 2009

WACO, Texas --- While Wade Sundell might not come from saddle bronc riding country or from an area rich in rodeos, he is on his way to becoming one of the best.

Sundell, grew up in Boxholm, Iowa and got his love for riding bucking horses from his father who also competed in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), but made his living as an electrician and plumber. This generation is making a living in the PRCA. He won the Dodge National Circuit Finals, is on his way to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR), and set a new record at the Heartland ProRodeo Championships.

Sundell had an 89-point effort on the horse named Whiskey from Universal Rodeo to earn $2,514. That beat the record that Cody DeMoss, from Heflin, La., set during the first performance by one point. Sundell is 12th in the PRCA world standings so has already secured a spot among the top fifteen and a qualification for his first Wrangler NFR. The money that he wins here will certainly help his position.

Last year’s Heartland ProRodeo Championship bareback rider, Dave Worsfold, from Queensland, Australia, is hoping for a repeat. He tied for first place with rookie Steven Peebles, from Redmond, Ore., on Sunday. They each earned $2,200 for their 78 point rides.

Peebles is ranked 13th in the PRCA world standings and was rooting for his traveling partner Jared Smith from Williston, Fla., who is 15th. Smith had a 77 point ride and earned $1,256. He now is over $5,000 ahead of the man in 16th place, Jared Keylon from Fort Scott, Kan. Keylon is also competing here in this group of contestants but did not help his quest for an NFR qualification with a 69-point score.

J.W. Harris, the reigning world champion bull rider continued his quest for a second gold buckle with an 87-point ride on Bad Company Rodeo’s Super Freak. Harris, who got married last week, won $2,514. These contestants have their second appearance here on Monday. The top four money winners will advance to Thursday’s progressive round. Harris has an opportunity to add to his earnings, but will most likely be back here to compete regardless of his success here on Monday.

The fourth performance of the Heartland ProRodeo Championships at the Heart O’ Texas Fair and Rodeo will begin on Monday at7 p.m.

WACO, Texas --- The following are results from the third performance of the Heartland ProRodeo Championships at the Heart O’ Texas Fair Rodeo, Sunday, October 11, 2009.

Bareback Riding: 1 (tie), Dave Worsfold, Queensland, Australia and Steven Peebles, Redmond, Ore., 78 points, $2,200. 3, Jared Smith, Williston, Fla., 77, $1,257. 4, Cody Ziober, Huntsville, Texas, 76, $629.

Tie-Down Roping: 1, Tim Pharr, Resaca, Ga., 8.0, $2,514. 2, Trent Creager, Stillwater, Okla., 8.1, $1,886. 3, Ryan Jarrett, Summerville, Ga., 9.0, $1,257. 4, Landon McClaughterty, Tilden, Texas, 10.8, $629.

Steer Wrestling: 1, Ryan Mims, Holdenville, Okla., 3.3 seconds, $2,514. 2, Bill Pace, Stephenville, Texas, 4.2, $1,886. 3, Jack Hodges, Stephenville, Texas, 4.3, $1,257. 4, Spud Duvall, Checotah, Okla., 4.7, $629.

Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Wade Sundell, Boxholm, Iowa, 89 points on United Rodeo’s Whiskey, $2,514. 2, Cort Scheer, Elsmere, Neb., 77, $1,886. 3, Kobyn Williams, De Berry, Texas, 72, $1,257. 4, Curtis Garton, Kaitaia, New Zealand, 71, $629.

Team Roping: 1, Brook Bearden, Dublin, Texas and Blake Elms, Cleburne, Texas, 5.0 seconds, $2,514 each. 2, Cody Graham, Everton, Mo., and Gabe Gwaltney, Carthage, Mo., 5.5, $1,886. 3, Reese Kerr, Comfort, Texas, and Ace Pearce, Washington, Texas, 6.7, $1,257. 4, Keven Daniel, Franklin, Tenn., and Boogie Ray, Mabank, Texas, 9.7, $629.

Bull Riding: 1, J.W. Harris, May, Texas, 87 points on Bad Company Rodeo’s Super Freak, $2,514. 2, Sam Wilson, East Bernard, Texas, 83, $1,886. 3, Cody RoStockyj, China Spring, Texas, 80, $1,257. 4, Jason Beck, Prairieville, La., 79, $629.