Key, Koontz pick up special team roping win on Tough Enough To Wear Pink Night; Brazile inches closer to all-around crown
LAS VEGAS -- It's always a monumental accomplishment to win a round at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, but for team roper David Key, his Round 7 win with partner Kory Koontz meant a whole lot more. Key and Koontz happened to win their round on Tough Enough To Wear Pink Night, a night when the contestants, staff and fans dress in pink to honor breast cancer awareness and Wrangler's commitment to lead ProRodeo's effort to raise money for breast cancer charities.
Key, of Caldwell, Texas, and Koontz, of Sudan, Texas, won the round in 4.1 seconds, seven-tenths of a second faster than second-place Tommy Edens and Coby Jones. Key has special plans for his round buckle.
"I've got a grandmother who's beaten breast cancer, so I'm going to dedicate this win to her, and I think I'll give her the buckle because I think that'll be special for her," Key said. "It's outstanding. That's what we've been planning on doing all week, and it just hasn't happened. It seems like whatever I do, things just don't go exactly the way I want them to in the first half, but the second half is usually pretty good."
Koontz made a horse switch that contributed to the win.
"I switched horses last night," Koontz said. "My other horse felt good, but our team just wasn't working well together. David and I talked about it, and I just decided that was a move I needed to make."
The partners got the win after having a no-time and back-to-back five-second penalties for only catching one hind leg in the first three rounds of the rodeo. Four rounds later, they're no doubt a bit more optimistic about their Wrangler NFR experience. The duo has now placed in three of the last four rounds and each pocketed checks for $16,394 after their Round 7 victory. They finished seven-tenths of a second ahead of the team of Tommy Edens and Coby Jones.
Wrangler's Karl Stressman presented a check for $2.5 million during the performance, a check that represented ProRodeo's total donations to the Tough Enough To Wear Pink campaign.
For the second time in seven nights, Wrangler NFR rookie Justin McDaniel finished atop the bareback riding heap at the Thomas & Mack Center. The Porum, Okla., cowboy, who set a Wrangler NFR record with a 91.5-point ride in Round 3, teamed with Kesler Rodeo's Street Dance for 89.5 points and the win in Round 7. He finished four points clear of second-place Jessy Davis, who spurred Growney Brothers' Beaver Fever for 85.5 points.
McDaniel was pleased with his first-ever ride on the Kesler Rodeo horse.
"It's an awesome horse," McDaniel said. "It's one of Greg Kesler's out of Canada, and they win money on the horse every time they nod their head. Usually he'll just make a big circle, and tonight he came out there and turned out to the left and spun a lot. I wasn't expecting that, but I guess the judges liked it. It's a great horse, and I've always wanted him."
With the win, McDaniel not only became the first bareback rider to win two rounds at this year's Wrangler NFR, but he also closed the gap between himself and Crusher Rentals PRCA World Standings leader Bobby Mote. Through seven rounds, Mote leads with $172,809, but McDaniel is inching closer and has $151,947 in earnings heading into Round 8.
Steer wrestler Stockton Graves may have been shut out of the pay window during the first two rounds of the 2007 Wrangler NFR, but he's been a regular there ever since. Graves, of Newkirk, Okla., has placed in four of his last five rounds, including a big win during Round 7. Graves, competing in his fourth straight Wrangler NFR, stopped the clock in 3.7 seconds to win the round and $16,394 by finishing two-tenths of a second ahead of Crusher Rentals PRCA World Standings leader Lee Graves and 2007 Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days co-champion Jason Miller.
The win moved Graves to second place behind his Canadian namesake, Lee, and Stockton was excited to pick up his first round buckle since the fourth round of last year's Wrangler NFR.
"We knew we had a good steer; they'd won a round on that steer," Graves said. "I just told Rodney (Burks, his hazer) we were going to go out there and try to win the round, and luckily it worked out. This year, we're just kind of running at them, and we're just going to see how it goes. I've never been in this position. We're going to go at them and see what happens."
Joining McDaniel as a two-time winner at this year's Wrangler was saddle bronc rider Taos Muncy. Muncy, of Corona, N.M., won the seventh performance with an 87.5-point ride on Mosbrucker Rodeo's Silver Moon to become the first saddle bronc rider to win multiple rounds in Las Vegas this year.
"He (Silver Moon) bucked well," Muncy said. "He was strong the whole time, and I just had to let him roll, I guess."
Muncy made a riding technique correction after a tip from an older peer.
"In the earlier rounds, my feet were kind of turning wrong," Muncy said. "I talked to (veteran) Justin Washburn back home, and he told me some stuff. He helped me a lot."
Crusher Rentals PRCA World Standings leader Cody Wright, who stands $18,223 ahead of Muncy, finished second in the round with an 85-point ride on Stace Smith Rodeo's Big Jet. Canada's Rod Hay tied for fifth place to earn money for the seventh straight night and is the only Wrangler NFR contestant to place in all seven rounds. He is also the only saddle bronc rider to have covered all seven of his horses and holds a large lead in the average standings.
Four-time and reigning World Champion All-Around Cowboy Trevor Brazile has not yet mathematically clinched his fifth career all-around title, but for all intents and purposes, the race is over. Brazile, of Decatur, Texas, won the tie-down roping in Round 7 with a blistering 6.7-second run that was just two-tenths of a second off Cody Ohl's Wrangler NFR record from 2003 and four-tenths of a second off Ricky Canton's PRCA world record. Brazile won the round by six-tenths of a second over Jake Hannum to re-take the lead in the Crusher Rentals PRCA World Standings in tie-down roping from Houston Hutto.
Brazile, who is competing with a herniated disk in his back, was pleased to have posted the quickest tie-down roping run of the rodeo and virtually assured himself of another all-around gold buckle.
"That is what I have been looking for for a few nights," Brazile said. "I have had some difficulty with my back, and the calves I have had haven't been the best for my situation either, but tonight I had a great calf. Tonight, I felt as good as I have all week. It's as fast as I have been anywhere."
No one in any event has won more round buckles at this year's Wrangler NFR than barrel racer Lindsay Sears. The Nanton, Alberta, cowgirl, who previously won the second and fifth rounds, took the title in Round 7 aboard her mare Martha with a 13.64-second run to pocket another $16,394. Aside from Brazile, Sears has won more money in Las Vegas than any other contestant, piling up $71,923 thus far.
"I knew when Martha nailed the second barrel that it was going to be good, but it's hard for me to tell from night to night," Sears said. "She covers a lot of ground and doesn't really feel a whole lot different, but she snapped her turns tonight, so I knew it was going to be quick. Martha actually gets a little more aggressive and wants to run a little harder as I make more runs on her. I'm lucky with Martha because she's pretty free and allows me to move her. Martha's great. She's a free-running horse, and I just have to cue her. That works out great in these little buildings."
Sears' win closed the gap between herself and world standings leader Brittany Pozzi-Pharr, who became the first barrel racer to cross the $200,000 mark in single-season earnings with a third-place finish. Pozzi-Pharr has $204,713 in earnings heading into Round 8. Deb Renger finished second to Sears in the seventh round in 13.83 seconds.
Heading into Round 7, not only had bull rider Logan Knibbe failed to make it to the pay window, but he also had not made it to the eight-second whistle. That all changed quickly, as Knibbe rode Flying U Rodeo's Big Mike for 91.5 points and the round victory. Bobby Welsh was second with an 89.5-point mark on J-J Rodeo's Vertical Exit.
Knibbe's ride almost ended at the six-second mark, but he held on for the whistle.
"He went to the left and had me behind him, and I really had to hustle and try to get where I needed to be, (which was) with the bull if he jumped out of it (the spin)," Knibbe said. "My bull turned back into my (riding) hand, and I think I was a little bit more relaxed. I was just thinking about riding the bull instead of worrying about getting bucked off. I just said, 'Heck with it. This is just like another rodeo, so let's concentrate on riding the bull.'"
The Wrangler NFR rookie made his first paycheck a big one, winning $16,394 for the stellar ride.
COMPLETE ROUND 7 RESULTS
Bareback riding: Seventh round: 1. Justin McDaniel, Porum, Okla., 89.5 points on Kesler Rodeo's Street Dance, $16,394; 2. Jessy Davis, Payson, Utah, 85.5, $12,957; 3. (tie) Jason Jeter, Mansfield, Texas, and Chris Harris, Itasca, Texas, 81, $8,329 each; 5. (tie) Kelly Timberman, Mills, Wyo., and Will Lowe, Canyon, Texas, 79.5, $3,438 each; 7. (tie) Steven Dent, Mullen, Neb., and Scott Montague, Rapid City, S.D., 79; 9. Ryan Gray, Cheney, Wash., 78; 10. Heath Ford, Greeley, Colo., 77.5; 11. Royce Ford, Briggsdale, Colo., 77; 12. Jason Havens, Prineville, Ore., 76.5; 13. Bobby Mote, Culver, Ore., 75.5; 14. Tom McFarland, Wickenburg, Ariz., 70.5; 15. Cimmaron Gerke, Brighton, Colo., NS. Average: 1. (tie) Justin McDaniel, Porum, Okla., and Will Lowe, Canyon, Texas, 585.5 points on seven head; 3. Jessy Davis, Payson, Utah, 584; 4. Kelly Timberman, Mills, Wyo., 582; 5. Royce Ford, Briggsdale, Colo., 576; 6. Jason Jeter, Mansfield, Texas, 573.5; 7. Heath Ford, Greeley, Colo., 571.5; 8. Tom McFarland, Wickenburg, Ariz., 570; 9. (tie) Jason Havens, Prineville, Ore., and Steven Dent, Mullen, Neb., 568.5; 11. Chris Harris, Itasca, Texas, 567.5; 12. Bobby Mote, Culver, Ore., 567; 13. Ryan Gray, Cheney, Wash., 565.5; 14. Scott Montague, Rapid City, S.D., 558.5; 15. Cimmaron Gerke, Brighton, Colo., 480 on six head.
Steer wrestling: Seventh round: 1. Stockton Graves, Newkirk, Okla., 3.7 seconds, $16,394; 2. (tie) Lee Graves, Calgary, Alberta, and Jason Miller, Lance Creek, Wyo., 3.9, $11,370 each; 4. Joey Bell Jr, Malakoff, Texas, 4.3, $6,875; 5. Trevor Knowles, Mount Vernon, Ore., 4.4, $4,231; 6. Wade Sumpter, Fowler, Colo., 4.5, $2,644; 7. Jule Hazen, Protection, Kan., 4.6; 8. (tie) Shawn Greenfield, Lakeview, Ore., and Jake Rinehart, Highmore, S.D., 4.7; 10. Sean Mulligan, Coleman, Okla., 4.9; 11. Josh Peek, Pueblo, Colo., 5.2; 12. Todd Suhn, North Platte, Neb., 6.2; 13. Casey McMillen, Craig, Colo., 6.6; 14. Luke Branquinho, Los Alamos, Calif., 8.9; 15. Matt Reeves, Pampa, Texas, DNP. Average:1. Jason Miller, Lance Creek, Wyo., 29.8 seconds on seven head; 2. Sean Mulligan, Coleman, Okla., 31.3; 3. Stockton Graves, Newkirk, Okla., 34.7; 4. Josh Peek, Pueblo, Colo., 36.4; 5. Jule Hazen, Protection, Kan., 43.7; 6. Trevor Knowles, Mount Vernon, Ore., 69.5; 7. Lee Graves, Calgary, Alberta, 24.7 on six head; 8. Wade Sumpter, Fowler, Colo., 24.9; 9. Todd Suhn, North Platte, Neb., 25.9; 10. Shawn Greenfield, Lakeview, Ore., 29.1; 11.Luke Branquinho, Los Alamos, Calif., 30.5; 12. Casey McMillen, Craig, Colo., 33.6; 13. Matt Reeves, Pampa, Texas, 46.0; 14. Joey Bell Jr, Malakoff, Texas, 21.6 on five head; 15. Jake Rinehart, Highmore, S.D., 37.8 on four head.
Team roping: Seventh round: 1. David Key, Caldwell, Texas/Kory Koontz, Sudan, Texas, 4.1 seconds, $16,394; 2. Tommy Edens, Gatesville, Texas/Coby Jones, Gatesville, Texas, 4.8, $12,957; 3. Colter Todd, Marana, Ariz./Cesar de la Cruz, Tucson, Ariz., 5.6, $9,784; 4. Jimmy Edens, Gatesville, Texas/Ryan Motes, Weatherford, Texas, 9.5, $6,875; 5. Keven Daniel, Franklin, Tenn./Jhett Johnson, Casper, Wyo., 9.9, $4,231; 6. (tie) Speed Williams, Deleon, Texas/Dean Tuftin, Prineville, Ore., and Jake Barnes, Scottsdale, Ariz./Clay O'Brien Cooper, Morgan Mill, Texas, 10.2, $1,322 each; 8. Chad Masters, Clarksville, Tenn./Allen Bach, Weatherford, Texas, 12.7; 9. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas/Patrick Smith, Midland, Texas, 14.2; 10. Jake Cooper, Monument, N.M./Jimmie Cooper, Monument, N.M., 15.4; 11. Tee Woolman, Llano, Texas/Cory Petska, Lexington, Okla., 22.0; 12. Clay Tryan, Billings, Mont./Walt Woodard, Stockton, Calif., 22.6; 13. Travis Tryan, Billings, Mont./Michael Jones, Stephenville, Texas, 24.2; 14. Charly Crawford, Prineville, Ore./Britt Bockius, Claremore, Okla., 24.8; 15. Brandon Beers, Powell Butte, Ore./Mike Beers, Post, Ore., NT. Average: 1. Chad Masters, Clarksville, Tenn./Allen Bach, Weatherford, Texas, 47.4 seconds on seven head; 2. Jake Barnes, Scottsdale, Ariz./Clay O'Brien Cooper, Morgan Mill, Texas, 51.6; 3. Tommy Edens, Gatesville, Texas/Coby Jones, Gatesville, Texas, 69.3; 4. Clay Tryan, Billings, Mont./Walt Woodard, Stockton, Calif., 71.6; 5. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas/Patrick Smith, Midland, Texas, 80.9; 6. Tee Woolman, Llano, Texas/Cory Petska, Lexington, Okla., 89.4; 7. Travis Tryan, Billings, Mont./Michael Jones, Stephenville, Texas, 108.0; 8. Charly Crawford, Prineville, Ore./Britt Bockius, Claremore, Okla., 122.9; 9. Colter Todd, Marana, Ariz./Cesar de la Cruz, Tucson, Ariz., 43.1 on six head; 10. David Key, Caldwell, Texas/Kory Koontz, Sudan, Texas, 49.8; 11. Keven Daniel, Franklin, Tenn./Jhett Johnson, Casper, Wyo., 60.0; 12. Speed Williams, Deleon, Texas/Dean Tuftin, Prineville, Ore., 95.7; 13. Jimmy Edens, Gatesville, Texas/Ryan Motes, Weatherford, Texas, 49.8 on five head; 14. Jake Cooper, Monument, N.M./Jimmie Cooper, Monument, N.M., 62.4; 15. Brandon Beers, Powell Butte, Ore./Mike Beers, Post, Ore., 41.3 on four head.
Saddle bronc riding: Seventh round: 1. Taos Muncy, Corona, N.M., 87.5 points on Mosbrucker Rodeo Company's Silver Moon, $16.394; 2. Cody Wright, Milford, Utah, 85, $12,957; 3. (tie) Isaac Diaz, Stephenville, Texas, and Ryan Mapston, Belt, Mont., 84.5, $8,329 each; 5. (tie) Rod Hay, Wildwood, Alberta, and Justin Arnold, Santa Margarita, Calif., 82.5, $3,438; 7. Heith DeMoss, Crowville, La., 80.5; 8. Billy Etbauer, Edmond, Okla., 80; 9. Rusty Allen, Lehi, Utah, 79.5; 10. Anthony Bello, Oakley, Utah, 77; 11. Cody DeMoss, Heflin, La., 73.5; 12. (tie) Jesse Bail, Camp Crook, S.D., Chad Ferley, Oelrichs, S.D., and Chet Johnson, Gillette, Wyo., NS. Average: 1. Rod Hay, Wildwood, Alberta, 578.5 points on seven head; 2. Taos Muncy, Corona, N.M., 484.5 on six head; 3. Cody DeMoss, Heflin, La., 478; 4. Isaac Diaz, Stephenville, Texas, 409.5 on five head; 5. Rusty Allen, Lehi, Utah, 401; 6. Anthony Bello, Oakley, Utah, 387.5; 7. Heith DeMoss, Crowville, La., 334.5 on four head; 8. Cody Wright, Milford, Utah, 331.5; 9. Justin Arnold, Santa Margarita, Calif., 328.5; 10. Ryan Mapston, Belt, Mont., 325.5; 11. Chet Johnson, Gillette, Wyo., 322; 12. Jesse Bail, Camp Crook, S.D., 234.5 on three head; 13. (tie) Jeff Willert, Belvidere, S.D., and Billy Etbauer, Edmond, Okla., 164 on two head; 15. Chad Ferley, Oelrichs, S.D., 155.
Tie-down roping: Seventh round: 1. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas, 6.7 seconds, $16,394; 2. Jake Hannum, Ogden, Utah, 7.3, $12,957; 3. (tie) Cody Ohl, Hico, Texas, and Tyson Durfey, Colbert, Wash., 8.0, $8,329 each; 5. Mike Johnson, Henryetta, Okla., 8.5, $4,231; 6. (tie) Houston Hutto, Del Rio, Texas, and Hunter Herrin, Apache, Okla., 8.7, $1,322; 8. Clint Cooper, Decatur, Texas, 10.0; 9. Josh Peek, Pueblo, Colo., 10.6; 10. Stran Smith, Childress, Texas, 15.4; 11. Jerome Schneeberger, Ponca City, Okla., 16.3; 12. Scott Kormos, Teague, Texas, 19.2; 13. Matt Shiozawa, Chubbuck, Idaho, 20.3; 14. (tie) Blair Burk, Durant, Okla., and Nate Baldwin, Blackfoot, Idaho, NT. Average: 1. Cody Ohl, Hico, Texas, 57.7 seconds on seven head; 2. Houston Hutto, Del Rio, Texas, 68.5; 3. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas, 69.4; 4. Clint Cooper, Decatur, Texas, 71.0; 5. Stran Smith, Childress, Texas, 71.4; 6. Josh Peek, Pueblo, Colo., 71.7; 7. Mike Johnson, Henryetta, Okla., 73.9; 8. Jerome Schneeberger, Ponca City, Okla., 79.5; 9. Matt Shiozawa, Chubbuck, Idaho, 81.2; 10. Hunter Herrin, Apache, Okla., 54.1 on six head; 11. Tyson Durfey, Colbert, Wash., 56.6; 12. Jake Hannum, Ogden, Utah, 68.3; 13. Nate Baldwin, Blackfoot, Idaho, 91.2; 14. Blair Burk, Durant, Okla., 64.1 on five head; 15. Scott Kormos, Teague, Texas, 74.3.
Barrel racing: Seventh round: 1. Lindsay Sears, Nanton, Alberta, 13.64 seconds, $16,394; 2. Debbie Renger, Okotoks, Alberta, 13.83, $12,957; 3. Brittany Pozzi-Pharr, Victoria, Texas, 13.95, $9,784; 4. Jill Moody, Letcher, S.D., 13.98, $6,875; 5. Codi Baucom, Carthage, N.C., 14.03, $4,231; 6. Maegan Reichert, Mt Pleasant, Texas, 14.05, $2,644; 7. (tie) Brenda Mays, Terrebonne, Ore., and Brittany Hofstetter, Portales, N.M., 14.06; 9. Molly Powell, Stephenville, Texas, 14.12; 10. Terra Bynum, Colorado City, Texas, 14.38; 11. Sherrylynn Johnson, Henryetta, Okla., 14.62; 12. Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D., 18.99; 13. Brandie Halls, Carpenter, Wyo., 19.02; 14. Tana Poppino, Big Cabin, Okla., 19.16; 15. Vickie Solmonsen, Riverton, Utah, 19.29. Average: 1. Brittany Pozzi-Pharr, Victoria, Texas, 98.37 seconds on seven runs; 2. Debbie Renger, Okotoks, Alberta, 99.12; 3. Terra Bynum, Colorado City, Texas, 99.35; 4. Maegan Reichert, Mt Pleasant, Texas, 99.37; 5. Codi Baucom, Carthage, N.C., 99.58; 6. Brittany Hofstetter, Portales, N.M., 99.85; 7. Lindsay Sears, Nanton, Alberta, 102.61; 8. Jill Moody, Letcher, S.D., 103.14; 9. Molly Powell, Stephenville, Texas, 104.45; 10. Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D., 108.54; 11. Brenda Mays, Terrebonne, Ore., 108.56; 12. Vickie Solmonsen, Riverton, Utah, 109.35; 13. Brandie Halls, Carpenter, Wyo., 113.37; 14. Tana Poppino, Big Cabin, Okla., 114.03; 15. Sherrylynn Johnson, Henryetta, Okla., 121.40.
Bull riding: Seventh round: 1. Logan Knibbe, Rockdale, Texas, 91.5 points on Flying U Rodeo's Big Mike, $16,394; 2. Bobby Welsh, Gillette, Wyo., 89.5, $12,957; 3. Cody Hancock, Taylor, Ariz., 85.5, $9,784; 4. Chance Smart, Philadelphia, Miss., 84, $6,875; 5. Kanin Asay, Powell, Wyo., 81, $4,231; 6. (tie) B.J. Schumacher, Hillsboro, Wis., J.W. Harris, May, Texas, Ted Bert, Modesto, Calif., Dave Samsel, Haslet, Texas, Wesley Silcox, Payson, Utah, Colin McTaggart, Las Vegas, Nev., Howdy Cloud, Kountze, Texas, Clint Craig, Mena, Ark., Marcus Michaelis, Caldwell, Idaho, and Jarrod Craig, Hillsboro, Texas, NS. Average: 1. Wesley Silcox, Payson, Utah, 339.5 points on four head; 2. Ted Bert, Modesto, Calif., 334.5; 3. Jarrod Craig, Hillsboro, Texas, 328.5; 4. Kanin Asay, Powell, Wyo., 322; 5. (tie) J.W. Harris, May, Texas, and Chance Smart, Philadelphia, Miss., 255.5 on three head; 7. Marcus Michaelis, Caldwell, Idaho, 254; 8. Cody Hancock, Taylor, Ariz., 250.5; 9. Howdy Cloud, Kountze, Texas, 175.0 on two head; 10. B.J. Schumacher, Hillsboro, Wis., 173; 11. Bobby Welsh, Gillette, Wyo., 171; 12. Logan Knibbe, Rockdale, Texas, 91.5 on one head; 13. Clint Craig, Mena, Ark., 89.5; 14. Dave Samsel, Haslet, Texas, 86; 15. Colin McTaggart, Las Vegas, Nev., 78.5.
