POCATELLO, Idaho -- Steer wrestler Luke Branquinho came through with the fastest time of Saturday afternoon's second round and kept alive his chances for a second consecutive Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo championship.
Branquinho's 4.0-second run at Holta Arena was the second fastest of the second round and assured that he would make it to the semifinal round Saturday night as the seventh qualifier among eight with a total time of 11.5 seconds.
By the time he made his run late in Saturday's 12-man competition, Branquinho needed a time of just 9.7 seconds or better to advance, but was not about to take a conservative approach.
"If I try to safety up it usually doesn't go well for me," said Branquinho, a two-time world champion. "I knew I had a good steer and I could have backed off the barrier a little bit and still been five (in the five-second range), but you can't back in there thinking you can ease into the run and have a shot at the money."
Branquinho didn't have to look to far for evidence of the uncertainty that is so much a part of his profession. Defending champions Kaycee Feild (bareback riding) and Wade Sundell (saddle bronc riding) failed to make the cut for the Saturday night semifinals and J.W. Harris, the defending champion in the bull riding, made it with 90 points on one head.
The 7 p.m. semifinal round will provide all eight competitors in each event with a clean slate. The contestants with the four best times and scores in that round advance to the subsequent finals round, again with a clean slate. Whoever has the fastest time or highest score in the final round is the DNCFR champion.
The final session of the DNCFR will be aired on a live audio Webcast tonight at 7 p.m. on www.prorodeolive.com.
Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo
Holt Arena, Pocatello, Idaho
Saturday matinee
Bareback riding: Second round: 1. Bobby Mote, Culver, Ore., 87 points on J Bar J Rodeo's Faded Jeans, $4,632; 2. Tim Shirley, Grant, Colo., 84, $3,509; 3. (tie) Ryan Gray, Cheney, Wash.; Clint Cannon, Waller, Texas; Jared Keylon, Fort Scott, Kan., 82, $1,731 each; 6. Josh Shackleford, McGee, Mo., 81, $702; 7. (tie) Troy Solomon, Havre, Mont., and Teddy Athan, Livermore, Calif., 80; 9. (tie) Caine Riddle, Vernon, Texas; Chris Harris, Itasca, Texas; Scott Montague, Rapid City, S.D., and Scotty Nesmith, Russellville, Tenn., 79; 13. (tie) Bud Munns, Snowville, Utah, and Kaycee Feild, Payson, Utah, 78; 15. (tie) Craig Wisehart, Stephenville, Texas; Dustin Smith, Rome, Ga., and Joe Gunderson, Agar, S.D., 77; 18. Bee Jay Scott, Otley, Iowa, 76; 19. Buck Lunak, Cut Bank, Mont., 71; 20. Wyatt Hancock, Taylor, Ariz., 69; 21. J.C. Smith, Aspers, Pa., 53; 22. (tie) Danny Webb, Cottonwood, Calif.; Jared Green, Socorro, N.M., and Ronald Browning, Statesville, N.C., NS. Average: 1. Bobby Mote, Culver, Ore., 173 points on two head, $4,632; 2. Ryan Gray, Cheney, Wash., 166, $3,509; 3. Jared Keylon, Fort Scott, Kan., 165, $2,526; 4. Clint Cannon, Waller, Texas, 162, $1,684; 5. (tie) Chris Harris, Itasca, Texas, and Scott Montague, Rapid City, S.D., 161, $842 each; 7. (tie) Josh Shackleford, McGee, Mo., and Joe Gunderson, Agar, S.D., 160; 9. Kaycee Feild, Payson, Utah, 156; 10. (tie) Troy Solomon, Havre, Mont.; Caine Riddle, Vernon, Texas, and Teddy Athan, Livermore, Calif., 155; 13. Bee Jay Scott, Otley, Iowa, 152; 14. Dustin Smith, Rome, Ga., 149; 15. Bud Munns, Snowville, Utah, 148; 16. Scotty Nesmith, Russellville, Tenn., 146; 17. Wyatt Hancock, Taylor, Ariz., 142; 18. Craig Wisehart, Stephenville, Texas, 140; 19. Tim Shirley, Grant, Colo., 84 on one; 20. Buck Lunak, Cut Bank, Mont., 71; 21. J.C. Smith, Aspers, Pa., 53; 22. (tie) Jared Green, Socorro, N.M.; Ronald Browning, Statesville, N.C., and Danny Webb, Cottonwood, Calif., NS
Steer wrestling: Second round: 1. Olin Hannum, West Haven, Utah, 3.7 seconds, $4,632; 2. Luke Branquinho, Los Alamos, Calif., 4.0, $3,509; 3. Todd Suhn, Hermosa, S.D., 4.1, $2,526; 4. Kyle Hughes, Olney Springs, Colo., 4.4, $1,684; 5. Dean Gorsuch, Gering, Neb., 4.5, $983; 6. Kyle Whitaker, Chambers, Neb., 5.0, $702; 7. Hunter Cure, Holliday, Texas, 5.3; 8. Clay Cowan, Highmore, S.D., 5.4; 9. Josh Peek, Pueblo, Colo., 5.5; 10. Dean McIntyre, Wickenburg, Ariz., 6.9; 11. Gregory Bennett, Lake Luzerne, N.Y., 8.6; 12. Billy Bugenig, Ferndale, Calif., 10.8; 13. Nick Stubblefield, Choteau, Mont., 11.4; 14. Justin Morehouse, New Ross, Ind., 14.0; 15. (tie) Ace Campbell, Livingston, Ala., and Trevor Knowles, Mount Vernon, Ore., 14.8; 17. (tie) Clay Schaack, Wall, S.D.; Bud Hallman, Webster, Fla.; Stockton Graves, Newkirk, Okla.; Tom Lewis, Lehi, Utah; Erik Johnson, Eltopia, Wash.; Beau Franzen, Sidney, Mont.; Cutter Parsons, Marana, Ariz., and Darren Morgan, Fort Edward, N.Y., NT. Average: 1. Dean Gorsuch, Gering, Neb., 9.5 seconds on two head, $4,632; 2. (tie) Todd Suhn, Hermosa, S.D., and Clay Cowan, Highmore, S.D., 10.0, $3,018 each; 4. Olin Hannum, West Haven, Utah, 10.3, $1,684; 5. Kyle Hughes, Olney Springs, Colo., 10.5, $983; 6. Kyle Whitaker, Chambers, Neb., 11.0, $702; 7. Luke Branquinho, Los Alamos, Calif., 11.5; 8. Hunter Cure, Holliday, Texas, 14.9; 9. Billy Bugenig, Ferndale, Calif., 17.2; 10. Dean McIntyre, Wickenburg, Ariz., 18.0; 11. Josh Peek, Pueblo, Colo., 19.1; 12. Ace Campbell, Livingston, Ala., 20.5; 13. (tie) Erik Johnson, Eltopia, Wash., and Cutter Parsons, Marana, Ariz., 5.7 on one head; 15. Beau Franzen, Sidney, Mont., 8.0; 16. Gregory Bennett, Lake Luzerne, N.Y., 8.6; 17. Nick Stubblefield, Choteau, Mont., 11.4; 18. Justin Morehouse, New Ross, Ind., 14.0; 19. Tom Lewis, Lehi, Utah, 14.6; 20. (tie) Stockton Graves, Newkirk, Okla., and Trevor Knowles, Mount Vernon, Ore., 14.8; 22. Clay Schaack, Wall, S.D., 17.2; 23. (tie) Bud Hallman, Webster, Fla., and Darren Morgan, Fort Edward, N.Y., NT.
Team roping: Second round: 1. Riley Minor, Ellensburg, Wash./Brady Minor, Ellensburg, Wash., 4.1 seconds, $4,632 each; 2. Derrick Begay, Seba Dalkai, Ariz./Cesar de la Cruz, Tucson, Ariz., 4.5, $3,509; 3. David Key, Stephenville, Texas/Rich Skelton, Llano, Texas, 4.7, $2,526; 4. (tie) Jake Stanley, Hermiston, Ore./Justin Wade Davis, Cottonwood, Calif., and Tate Dempewolf, Broadus, Mont./Charlie Lenning, Billings, Mont., 5.1, $1,333 each; 6. Matt Sherwood, Pima, Ariz./Rhen Richard, Roosevelt, Utah, 5.2, $702; 7. Cody Odell, Como, Texas/Mickey Gomez, Holland, Texas, 5.5; 8. Mark Brockmueller, Irene, S.D./Dustin Harris, O'Neill, Neb., 6.3; 9. Paul Mullins, Shafter, Calif./Todd Hampton, Chowchilla, Calif., 6.5; 10. Brett Price, Faith, S.D./Paul Griemsman, Piedmont, S.D., 7.0; 11. Cody Graham, Everton, Mo./Gabe Gwaltney, Carthage, Mo., 9.8; 12. Ty Smith, Edmond, Okla./Jace Crabb, Mangum, Okla., 10.2; 13. Matt Robertson, Augusta, Mont./Justin Viles, Cody, Wyo., 12.5; 14. Ross Lowry, Summerville, Ga./Stephen Britnell, Maryville, Tenn., 14.6; 15. Ben Ray, Bertrand, Mo./Jason Stroup, Gordonville, Mo., 15.2; 16. Mike Pivetti, Hollister, Calif./Mike Christensen, Bakersfield, Calif., 15.5; 17. Darren Morgan, Fort Edward, N.Y./Casey Cox, Fort Edward, N.Y., 17.1; 18. (tie) Carmine Nastri, Ballston Spa, N.Y./Lewis Rimes Jr., York Springs, Pa.; Jay Tittel, Pueblo, Colo./Cole Cooper, Grand Junction, Colo.; Nick Sartain, Yukon, Okla./Jett Hillman, Jones, Okla.; Ty Blasingame, Ramah, Colo./Ryon Tittel, Pueblo, Colo.; Brian Winn, Annabella, Utah/Randon Adams, Logandale, Nev.; Will Lynd, Springhill, La./Lane Salley, Belmont, La., and Erich Rogers, Round Rock, Ariz./Cory Petska, Lexington, Okla., NT. Average: 1. (tie) Cody Odell, Como, Texas/Mickey Gomez, Holland, Texas, and Matt Sherwood, Pima, Ariz./Rhen Richard, Roosevelt, Utah, 10.7 seconds on two head, $4,070 each; 3. Paul Mullins, Shafter, Calif./Todd Hampton, Chowchilla, Calif., 13.3, $2,526; 4. Mark Brockmueller, Irene, S.D./Dustin Harris, O'Neill, Neb., 13.7, $1,684; 5. Brett Price, Faith, S.D./Paul Griemsman, Piedmont, S.D., 14.1, $983; 6. Matt Robertson, Augusta, Mont./Justin Viles, Cody, Wyo., 18.1, $702; 7. Jake Stanley, Hermiston, Ore./Justin Davis, Cottonwood, Calif., 20.1; 8. Mike Pivetti, Hollister, Calif./Mike Christensen, Bakersfield, Calif., 35.4; 9. Riley Minor, Ellensburg, Wash./Brady Minor, Ellensburg, Wash., 4.1 on one head; 10. Derrick Begay, Seba Dalkai, Ariz./Cesar de la Cruz, Tucson, Ariz., 4.5; 11. David Key, Stephenville, Texas/Rich Skelton, Llano, Texas, 4.7; 12. Tate Dempewolf, Broadus, Mont./Charlie Lenning, Billings, Mont., 5.1; 13. Ty Blasingame, Ramah, Colo./Ryon Tittel, Pueblo, Colo., 5.5; 14. Nick Sartain, Yukon, Okla./Jett Hillman, Jones, Okla., 5.6: 15. Cody Graham, Everton, Mo./Gabe Gwaltney, Carthage, Mo., 9.8; 16. Ty Smith, Edmond, Okla./Jace Crabb, Mangum, Okla., 10.2; 17. Jay Tittel, Pueblo, Colo./Cole Cooper, Grand Junction, Colo., 11.2; 18. Ross Lowry, Summerville, Ga./Stephen Britnell, Maryville, Tenn., 14.6; 19. Ben Ray, Bertrand, Mo./Jason Stroup, Gordonville, Mo., 15.2; 20. Darren Morgan, Fort Edward, N.Y./Casey Cox, Fort Edward, N.Y., 17.1; 21. Brian Winn, Annabella, Utah/Randon Adams, Logandale, Nev., 20.4; 22. (tie) Carmine Nastri, Ballston Spa, N.Y./Lewis Rimes Jr., York Springs, Pa.; Will Lynd, Springhill, La./Lane Salley, Belmont, La., and Erich Rogers, Round Rock, Ariz./Cory Petska, Lexington, Okla., NT.
Saddle bronc riding: Second round: 1. Taos Muncy, Corona, N.M., 86 points on Korkow Rodeo's River Rat, $4,632; 2. Jake Costello, Newell, S.D., 85, $3,509; 3. (tie) Heith DeMoss, Heflin, La., and Cody Wright, Milford, Utah, 83, $2,105 each; 5. (tie) Jesse Wright, Milford, Utah, and Bobby Griswold, Geary, Okla., 82, $842 each; 7. (tie) Cole Elshere, Faith, S.D., and J.J. Elshere, Quinn, S.D., 78; 9. Jake Griffin, Powell, Wyo., 76; 10. Bradley Harter, Weatherford, Texas, 75; 11. (tie) Jesse Kruse, Great Falls, Mont., and Wade Sundell, Boxholm, Iowa, 72; 13. (tie) Lyle Welling, Crawford, Neb., and Justin Browning, Lake Charles, La., 71; 15. Chad Alesky, Monroeton, Pa., 64; 16. Scott Miller, Hemet, Calif., 62; 17. Mike Outhier, Utopia, Texas, 61; 18. (tie) Jesse James Kirby, Dodge City, Kan.; Darrell Triplett, Waterflow, N.M., Roy Johnson, Etna, Calif.; David Rubel, Grantville, Pa.; Elliot French, Hollister, Calif.; Frank McKay, Ontario, Ore., and Tate Owens, Platteville, Colo., NS. Average: 1. Jake Costello, Newell, S.D., 168 points on two head, $4,632; 2. Bobby Griswold, Geary, Okla., 164, $3,509; 3. Cody Wright, Milford, Utah, 162, $2,526; 4. (tie) Jesse Wright, Milford, Utah, and Taos Muncy, Corona, N.M., 161, $1,333 each; 6. Heith DeMoss, Heflin, La., 160, $702; *7. (tie) Cole Elshere, Faith, S.D.; J.J. Elshere, Quinn, S.D., and Jake Griffin, Powell, Wyo., 153 (*Cole Elshere and J.J. Elshere advanced on basis of having a higher round score than Griffin) ; 10. Jesse Kruse, Great Falls, Mont., 148; 11. Justin Browning, Lake Charles, La., 147; 12. (tie) Lyle Welling, Crawford, Neb.; Mike Outhier, Utopia, Texas, and Wade Sundell, Boxholm, Iowa, 145; 15. Chad Alesky, Monroeton, Pa., 132; 16. Tate Owens, Platteville, Colo., 83 on one; 17. Roy Johnson, Etna, Calif., 78; 18. (tie) Elliot French, Hollister, Calif., and Frank McKay, Ontario, Ore., 76; 20. Bradley Harter, Weatherford, Texas, 75; 21. Jesse James Kirby, Dodge City, Kan., 73; 22. Scott Miller, Hemet, Calif., 62; 23. (tie) Darrell Triplett, Waterflow, N.M., and David Rubel, Grantville, Pa., NS.
Tie-down roping: Second round: 1. Wes Lockard, Susanville, Calif., 7.7 seconds, $4,632; 2. Tyson Durfey, Colbert, Wash., 7.9, $3,509; 3. Chad Johnson, Cut Bank, Mont., 8.8, $2,526; 4. (tie) Bryant Mikkelson, Buffalo, Mont., and Justin Maass, Giddings, Texas, 9.2, $1,333 each; 6. Trent Creager, Stillwater, Okla., 9.3, $702; 7. Matt Shiozawa, Chubbuck, Idaho, 9.7; 8. Brad Goodrich, Hermiston, Ore., 9.8; 9. (tie) Seth Rodriguez, Polk City, Fla., and Chase Johnston, Greeley, Colo., 10.4; 11. J.C. Malone, Roy, Utah, 10.5; 12. Justin Thigpen, Waycross, Ga., 10.9; 13. Barry Blair, Ekalaka, Mont., 11.2; 14. Jerome Schneeberger, Ponca City, Okla., 17.5; 15. Matt Charles Kenney, Onawa, Iowa, 20.3; 16. Carmine Nastri, Ballston Spa, N.Y., 21.8; 17. J.R. Myers, Felton, Pa., 21.9; 18. Jesse Egan, Gridley, Calif., 22.5; 19. (tie) Skyler Moore, Mt. Vernon, Mo.; Bill Snure, Douglas, Ariz.; Scott Kormos, Teague, Texas; Joseph Parsons, Marana, Ariz.; Josh Peek, Pueblo, Colo., and Justin Scofield, St. Lawrance, S.D., NT. Average: 1. (tie) Wes Lockard, Susanville, Calif., and Trent Creager, Stillwater, Okla., 18.3 seconds on two head, $4,070 each; 3. (tie) Justin Maass, Giddings, Texas, and Brad Goodrich, Hermiston, Ore., 18.5, $2,105 each; 5. Chad Johnson, Cut Bank, Mont., 18.7, $983; 6. J.C. Malone, Roy, Utah, 18.9, $702; 7. Matt Shiozawa, Chubbuck, Idaho, 19.7; 8. Bryant Mikkelson, Buffalo, Mont., 19.8; 9. Justin Thigpen, Waycross, Ga., 20.3; 10. (tie) Seth Rodriguez, Polk City, Fla., and Barry Blair, Ekalaka, Mont., 21.4; 12. Jerome Schneeberger, Ponca City, Okla., 27.2; 13. Matt Kenney, Onawa, Iowa, 28.1; 14. Carmine Nastri, Ballston Spa, N.Y., 34.4; 15. Jesse Egan, Gridley, Calif., 35.5; 16. Tyson Durfey, Colbert, Wash., 7.9 on one; 17. Joseph Parsons, Marana, Ariz., 8.1; 18. Justin Scofield, St. Lawrance, S.D., 8.6; 19. Skyler Moore, Mt. Vernon, Mo., 9.2; 20. Scott Kormos, Teague, Texas, 9.5; 21. Chase Johnston, Greeley, Colo., 10.4; 22. Bill Snure, Douglas, Ariz., 10.7; 23. Josh Peek, Pueblo, Colo., 18.2; 24. J.R. Myers, Felton, Pa., 21.9.
Barrel racing: Second round: 1. Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D., 14.83 seconds, $4,632; 2. Kelsi Elkins, Aztec, N.M., 14.90, $3,509; 3. Christina Richman, Glendora, Calif., 14.92, $2,526; 4. (tie) Tammy Bruso, Dothan, Ala., and Tracee Young, Delta, Utah, 14.97, $1,333 each; 6. Sue Smith, Blackfoot, Idaho, 14.98, $702; 7. Tammy Fischer, Ledbetter, Texas, 15.09; 8. Tammy Whyte, Eau Claire, Wis., 15.11; 9. Jana Isaac, White Swan, Wash., 15.16; 10. Rachael Ross, Murrieta, Calif., 15.19; 11. Bobbie Jo Bohlman, Eland, Wis., 15.20; 12. Janna Beam, Hallsville, Texas, 15.22; 13. Laura Lambert, Wiggins, Colo., 15.27; 14. Jolee Lautaret, Kingman, Ariz., 15.35; 15. Theresa Walter, Billings, Mont., 15.40; 16. Julie James, Pinedale, Wyo., 15.42; 17. Jennifer Romriell, Broadalbin, N.Y., 15.45; 18. Jewels DeNapoli, Callahan, Fla., 15.49; 19. Lindsay Karp, Winston, Mont., 15.60; 20. Nickie Stoltzfus, McClure, Pa., 15.80; 21. P.J. Burger, Pauls Valley, Okla., 16.07; 22. Britany Fleck, Mandan, N.D., 19.95; 23. Mary Burger, Pauls Valley, Okla., 20.16; 24. Brenda Mays, Terrebonne, Ore., 20.39. Average: 1. Christina Richman, Glendora, Calif., 29.66 seconds on two runs, $4,632; 2. Sue Smith, Blackfoot, Idaho, 29.68, $3,509; 3. Kelsi Elkins, Aztec, N.M., 29.77, $2,526; 4. Tammy Bruso, Dothan, Ala., 29.93, $1,684; 5. Tammy Fischer, Ledbetter, Texas, 29.97, $983; 6. Tracee Young, Delta, Utah, 30.02, $702; 7. Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D., 30.21; 8. Tammy Whyte, Eau Claire, Wis., 30.23; 9. Janna Beam, Hallsville, Texas, 30.24; 10. Laura Lambert, Wiggins, Colo., 30.28; 11. Jana Isaac, White Swan, Wash., 30.43; 12. Theresa Walter, Billings, Mont., 30.47; 13. Bobbie Jo Bohlman, Eland, Wis., 30.54; 14. Jennifer Romriell, Broadalbin, N.Y., 30.79; 15. (tie) Lindsay Karp, Winston, Mont., and Julie James, Pinedale, Wyo., 30.88; 17. P.J. Burger, Pauls Valley, Okla., 31.48; 18. Jewels DeNapoli, Callahan, Fla., 31.79; 19. Britany Fleck, Mandan, N.D., 34.84; 20. Mary Burger, Pauls Valley, Okla., 34.97; 21. Rachael Ross, Murrieta, Calif., 35.49; 22. Brenda Mays, Terrebonne, Ore., 35.58; 23. Jolee Lautaret, Kingman, Ariz., 35.81; 24. Nickie Stoltzfus, McClure, Pa., 36.54.
Bull riding: Second round: 1. J.W. Harris, Mullin, Texas, 90 points on Rafter H Rodeo's Who's Next, $4,632; 2. Rankin Lindsey, Hillsboro, N.M., 82, $3,509; 3. Steve Woolsey, Payson, Utah, 80, $2,526; 4. (tie) Allen Helmuth, Ellensburg, Wash., and Sunshine Schwartz, Anoka, Minn., 79, $1,333 each; 6. (tie) Beau Schroeder, China, Texas, and Tater Hins, Huron, S.D., 76, $351; 8. Jesse Pohlmann, Fort Scott, Kan., 74; 9. Craig Begay, Rough Rock, Ariz., 72; 10. (tie) Jake Booco, Hayden, Colo.; Dustin Jenkins, Missoula, Mont.; Shane Gordon, Fort Jones, Calif.; Justin Koon, Russellville, Ark.; Jason Power, Franklinville, N.J.; Jacob Tyner, Sacramento, Calif.; Travis Atkinson, Lehi, Utah; Clayton Savage, Casper, Wyo.; Austin Ambrose, Fletcher, Okla.; Shawn Waite, Prineville, Ore.; Cole Hermanson, Mandan, N.D.; Cody Buller, Glendive, Mont.; Scott Sellers, Pequea, Pa.; Friday Wright II, Moss Point, Miss., and Matt Pojanowski, Woodville, Wis., NS. Average: 1. Beau Schroeder, China, Texas, 163 points on two head, $4,632; 2. Jesse Pohlmann, Fort Scott, Kan., 161, $3,509; 3. Steve Woolsey, Payson, Utah, 160, $2,526; 4. Rankin Lindsey, Hillsboro, N.M., 159, $1,684; 5. J.W. Harris, Mullin, Texas, 90 on one, $983; 6. (tie) Allen Helmuth, Ellensburg, Wash., and Sunshine Schwartz, Anoka, Minn., 79, $351 each; 8. (tie) Tater Hins, Huron, S.D., and Jacob Tyner, Sacramento, Calif., 76; 10. Austin Ambrose, Fletcher, Okla., 73; 11. Craig Begay, Rough Rock, Ariz., 72; 12. (tie) Jake Booco, Hayden, Colo.; Dustin Jenkins, Missoula, Mont.; Shane Gordon, Fort Jones, Calif.; Justin Koon, Russellville, Ark.; Jason Power, Franklinville, N.J.; Travis Atkinson, Lehi, Utah; Clayton Savage, Casper, Wyo.; Shawn Waite, Prineville, Ore.; Cole Hermanson, Mandan, N.D.; Cody Buller, Glendive, Mont.; Scott Sellers, Pequea, Pa.; Friday Wright II, Moss Point, Miss., and Matt Pojanowski, Woodville, Wis., NS.
