Jesse Bail Leads All-Around;
Competition Tight And Tough

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — He comes to Las Vegas as a 22 year-old, an age when most people are only beginning a path they hope will lead them to the top of their profession.

Jesse Bail, though, is different. He's not your typical 22 year-old. And without question, he's not your typical professional. In a few weeks, when the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo ends just two weeks before his 23rd birthday, Bail could find himself at the very top of professional rodeo.

Or not.

Bail is the front-runner in the races to become the world all-around and bull riding champion. He leads the Jack Daniel's world standings in both, and he brings the label of "favorite" to the Wrangler NFR because he's the only cowboy in the rodeo who will compete in two events, bull riding and saddle bronc riding.

But an impressive list of cowboys lurks just behind the Camp Crook, S.D. native. A quick glance at the names behind Bail in the all-around standings and rodeo fans can see why Bail must complete his task in Las Vegas before he can wear the most prestigious rodeo crown of all.

Bail tops the standings with winnings of $201,891 in season earnings, but there is a murderer's row behind him, waiting for a chance to pounce:

Trevor Brazile — This Texan is second in the standings at $179,395 going into the National Finals Steer Roping in Amarillo. He'll compete in the Wrangler NFR in calf roping.

Cash Myers — The younger brother of 2001 World Champion Steer Wrestler Rope Myers will compete as the top-ranked bulldogger at the Wrangler NFR. He's nursing an injured knee, which obviously will not help his quest for the title. He’s third in the standings at $169,440.

Fred Whitfield — Six world championships, including a 1999 world all-around title, make Whitfield a serious threat for the crown. The calf roper is fourth in the all-around standings at $155,148.

Blair Burk — Yet another calf roper, Burk battled Whitfield all year long for the top spot in his specialty. He sits fifth in the standings at $154,856.
Standings by event:

Bareback riding: 1. Bobby Mote, Redmond, Ore., $110,527; 2. Jared Lavergne, Ville Platte, La., $91,461; 3. Wes Stevenson, Kaufman, Texas, $82,891; 4. Will Lowe, Vernon, Texas, $76,888; 5. Forest Bramwell, Pagosa Springs, Colo., $72,284.

Steer wrestling: 1. Cash Myers, Athens, Texas, $88,139; 2. Bill Pace, Stephenville, Texas, $87,743; 3. Joey Bell Jr., Salem, N.J., $87,393; 4. Bob Lummus, Folsom, La., $83,876; 5. K.C. Jones, Las Animas, Colo., $77,293.

Team roping (heading): 1. Speed Williams, Jacksonville, Fla., $109,395; 2. Wade Wheatley, Hughson, Calif., $83,507; 3. Kevin Stewart, Glen Rose, Texas, $72,661; 4. Travis Tryan, Billings, Mont., $71,125; 5. Clay Tryan, Billings, Mont., $70,663.

Team roping (heeling): 1. Rich Skelton, Llano, Texas, $109,750; 2. Kyle Lockett, Ivanhoe, Calif., $81,885; 3. Martin Lucero, Stephenville, Texas, $73,597; 4. Caleb Twisselman, Santa Margarita, Calif., $70,208; 5. Matt Zancanella, Aurora, S.D., $69,088.

Saddle bronc riding: 1. Dan Mortensen, Billings, Mont., $168,527; 2. Glen O’Neill, Didsbury, Alberta, Canada, $136,909; 3. Jesse Bail, $112,242; 4. Tom Reeves, Eagle Butte, S.D., $111,323; 5. Rod Hay, Wildwood, Alberta, $100,201.

Calf roping: 1. Fred Whitfield, Hockley, Texas, $151,856; 2. Blair Burk, Durant, Okla., $151,426; 3. Trevor Brazile, Anson, Texas, $105,442; 4. Houston Hutto, Del Rio, Texas, $92,424; 5. Brent Lewis, Piñon, N.M., $87,479.

Barrel racing: 1. Charmayne James, Athens, Texas, $119,821; 2. Kelly Kaminski, Bellville, Texas, $79,007; 3. Tammy Key, Ledbetter, Texas, $78,279; 4. Rachael Sproul, Arlee, Mont., $61,421; 5. Janae Ward, Addington, Okla., $59,983.

Bull riding: 1. Jesse Bail, $89,648; 2. Myron Duarte, Auburn, Wash., $80,684; 3. Vince Stanton, Weiser, Idaho, $78,464; 4. Beau Hill, West Glacier, Mont., $72,636; 5. Jason Legler, Eaton, Colo., $70,995.

Steer roping: 1. Buster Record Jr., Buffalo, Okla., $44,562; 2. Guy Allen, Santa Anna, Texas, $44,357; 3. Trevor Brazile, Anson, Texas, $32,425; 4. Scott Snedecor, Uvalde, Texas, $32,346; 5. Jason Evans, Huntsville, Texas, $31,386.