Linderman Award Goes To Jesse
Bail, Finals To Begin Dec. 1

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Jesse Bail has gotten off to a great start as a professional rodeo cowboy.

The 20 year-old college student at Oklahoma State University made a strong showing as a rookie last year, but this year he ranks among the best in the world. Bail, of Camp Crook, S.D., will head to his first National Finals Rodeo, Dec. 1-10 in Las Vegas, as the third-ranked bull rider in the world. In addition to positioning himself for a world championship, Bail earned enough money in steer wrestling in the final weeks of the regular season to capture his first Linderman Award with $110,009 total. To qualify for the prestigious buckle, a contestant must earn at least $1000 in each of three events, including a roughstock and timed event. The annual winner is considered by many to be rodeo's best true all-around hand. The award is named for Bill Linderman, who won world titles in saddle bronc riding and steer wrestling in 1950. Linderman was 45 when he was killed in an airplane crash on Nov. 11, 1965 near Salt Lake City, Utah.

Luke Branquinho of Los Alamos, Calif., won the overall rookie of the year honors. Branquinho won more money — $54,330 — than any other rookie, and easily won the steer wrestling rookie of the year award with $52,029.

Another tough all-around contestant, Kyle Hughes of Model, Colo., took top honors as the Resistol Rookie of the Year in the all-around category with $45,395 in steer wrestling and calf roping. Hughes also laid claim to the calf roping rookie of the year title with $26,733.

Other Resistol rookies of the year are Billy Griffin, Raytown, Mo., bareback riding; Nick Sartain, Yukon, Okla., team roping header; Trey Johnson, Canyon, Texas, team roping heeler; Zack Brown, Yorba Linda, Calif., bull riding; Cody Martin, Hatfield, Ark., saddle bronc riding; Scott Bliss, Sheridan, Wyo., steer roping; and Gloria Freeman, Calhoun, Ga., barrel racing.

Unofficial standings in the all-around competition are as follows: Scott Johnston, Gustine, Texas, $164,150; Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas, $152,852; Blair Burk, Durant, Okla., $136,332; Fred Whitfield, Hockley, Texas, $133,991; J.D. Crouse, Canon City, Colo., $124,010.

Four-time National Finals Rodeo team roper Brent Lockett of Ivanhoe, Calif., will not compete in his fifth NFR, Dec. 1-10 in Las Vegas. Lockett, who broke his leg Nov. 5 at the Grand National Rodeo in San Francisco, will be replaced by 16th ranked heeler Bret Gould of Pollock, Texas. Lockett, who is ranked 13th, is recovering from multiple surgeries, and it's unclear when he will return to competition. His partner, Chance Kelton, will pair with heeler Monty Joe Petska at the Finals, while Gould will rope with his partner, Joe Beaver.

Standings by event:

Bareback riding: 1. James Boudreaux, Cuero, Texas, $76,845; 2. Larry Sandvick, Kaycee, Wyo., $74,956; 3. Marvin Garrett, Belle Fourche, S.D., $72,616; 4. Jeffrey Collins, Redfield, Kan., $72,382; 5. Darren Clarke, Weatherford, Texas, $70,626.

Steer wrestling: 1. Rod Lyman, Victor, Mont., $80,009; 2. Teddy Johnson, Checotah, Okla., $79,855; 3. Bryon Walker, Ennis, Texas, $73,471; 4. Birch Negaard, Buffalo, S.D., $63,623; 5. Cash Myers, Athens, Texas, $62,914.

Saddle bronc riding: 1. Scott Johnston, $139,442; 2. Billy Etbauer, Ree Heights, S.D., $112,944; 3. Rod Hay, Wildwood, Alberta, Canada, $96,099; 4. Dan Mortensen, Manhattan, Mont., $92,269; 5. Glen O'Neill, Water Valley, Alberta, $92,099.

Calf roping: 1. Fred Whitfield, Hockley, Texas, $129,516; 2. Blair Burk, Durant, Okla., $126,777; 3. Brent Lewis, Piñon, N.M., $88,658; 4. Ty Hays, Weatherford, Okla., $84,555; 5. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas, $75,462.

Team roping (heading): 1. Speed Williams, Jacksonville, Fla., $110,626; 2. Wade Wheatley, Hughson, Calif., $61,131; 3. Kevin Stewart, Glen Rose, Texas, $60,574; 4. Matt Tyler, Weatherford, Texas, $59,811; 5. Charles Pogue, Ringling, Okla., $59,508.

Team roping (heeling): 1. Rich Skelton, Llano, Texas, $110,626; 2. Kyle Lockett, Ivanhoe, Calif., $63,031; 3. Martin Lucero, Stephenville, Texas, $60,574; 4. Britt Bockius, Claremore, Okla., $60,356; 5. Clay O'Brien Cooper, Glen Rose, Texas, $59,811.

Barrel racing: 1. Charmayne James, Gustine, Texas, $97,016; 2. Sherry Cervi, Marana, Ariz., $85,440; 3. Kelly Yates, Pueblo, Colo., $71,703; 4. Kristie Peterson, Elbert, Colo., $67,490; 5. Gloria Freeman, Calhoun, Ga., $61,242.

Bull riding: 1. Tyler Fowler, Theodore, Ala., $80,107; 2. Shane Drury, Weatherford, Okla., $71,751; 3. Jesse Bail, Camp Crook, S.D., $68,158; 4. Danell Tipton, Spencer, Okla., $65,846; 5. Dan Wolfe, Redmond, Ore., $64,916.

Steer roping (final/unofficial): 1. Guy Allen, Lovington, N.M., $98,578; 2. Trevor Brazile, $45,849; 3. Buster Record Jr., Buffalo, Okla., $38,790; 4. Rocky Patterson, Pratt, Kan., $38,167; 5. Tee Woolman, Llano, Texas, $37,933.