Murray Still Holds Big Lead
In PRCA All-Around Earnings

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — With less than two months left in the race for the National Finals, every rodeo counts. Saddle bronc rider Todd Hipsag took full advantage of the opportunities given him last week.

Hipsag, from Lincoln, Neb., made a four-state sweep to take home checks totaling $5718, the highest earnings of any professional rodeo athlete for the week.

His haul brings his season earnings to $50,183 and solidifies his No. 15 position in the Crown Royal world saddle bronc riding standings — nearly $10,000 ahead of No. 16, Bud Longbrake. Hipsag is in contention for his second National Finals Rodeo in a row; he finished 1997 ranked 13th with $69,445 after his first NFR.

Ty Murray, Stephenville, leads the all-around competition with $162,104 in earnings to date. He is followed by Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas, with $107,057; Herbert Theriot, Poplarville, Miss., $90,535; Kurt Goulding, Duncan, Okla., $89,633; and Joe Beaver, Huntsville, Texas, $81,933.

Top standings by event:

Saddle bronc riding: 1. Dan Mortensen, Manhattan, Mont., $124,525; 2. Tom Reeves, Eagle Butte, S.D., $75,675; 3. Red Lemmel, Mud Butte, S.D., $68,458; 4. Billy Etbauer, Ree Heights, S.D., $66,306; 5. Bret Franks, Goodwell, Okla., $64,684.

Bareback riding: 1. Clint Corey, Culver, Ore., $77,391; 2. Rocky Steagall, Sanger, Calif., $64,258; 3. Larry Sandvick, Kaycee, Wyo., $59,346; 4. Deb Greenough, Red Lodge, Mont., $56,237; 5. Chris Harris, Arlington, Texas, $56,087.

Bull riding: 1. Ty Murray, $90,141; 2. Blu Bryant, Nacogdoches, Texas, $67,800; 3. Cody Custer, Wickenburg, Ariz., $63,253; 4. Mike White, Lake Charles, La., $62,841; 5. Kelly Armstrong, Big Valley, Alberta, Canada, $56,238.

Calf roping: 1. Cody Ohl, Orchard, Texas, $117,683; 2. Fred Whitfield, Hockley, Texas, $86,049; 3. Trent Walls, Stephenville, Texas, $67,077; 4. Ricky Hyde, Conway, Ark., $61,125; 5. Stran Smith, Tell, Texas, $60,077.

Steer wrestling: 1. Rope Myers, Van Texas, $77,200; 2. Mike Smith, Baton Rouge, La., $70,837; 3. Bryon Walker, Ennis, Texas, $63,294; 4. Lee Graves, Calgary, Alberta, $55,807; 5. Steve Duhon, Sonora, Texas, $54,180.

Team roping (heading): 1. Speed Williams, Jacksonville, Fla., $59,149; 2. Charles Pogue, Ringling, Okla., $55,580; 3. Bret Boatright, Mulhall, Okla., $53,642; 4. Steve Purcella, Hereford, Texas, $45,838; 5. Jimmy Tanner, Tifton, Ga., $42,172.

Team roping (heeling): 1. Rick Skelton, Llano, Texas, $58,323; 2. Britt Bockius, Claremore, Okla., $55,917; 3. Kory Koontz, Sudan, Texas, $50,944; 4. Steve Northcott, Odessa, Texas, $45,838; 5. Shot Branhan, Midland, Texas, $42,676.

Steer roping: 1. Guy Allen, Lovington, N.M., $81,700; 2. Trevor Brazile, $43,811; 3. Jim Davis, Abilene, Texas, $40,100; 4. Marty Jones, Hobbs, N.M., $33,296; 5. Rocky Patterson, Pratt, Kan., $24,846.

Barrel racing: 1. Kristie Peterson, Elbert, Colo., $106,506; 2. Sherry Cervi, Midland, Texas, $103,390; 3. Charmayne James, Stephenville, Texas, $53,986; 4. Janet Stover, Athens, Texas, $50,798; 5. Molly Swanson, Simms, Mont., $41,867.