Chad Castillo Leads In Rookie
Of The Year Rodeo Competition

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — In just eight seconds, 19 year-old bull rider Chad Castillo pocketed $6243 and made rodeo fans in Nevada sit up and take notice.

Castillo, of Tucson, Ariz., was the only man to ride both his bulls at the $227,988 Laughlin, Nev., River Stampede, April 7-11. His total take of $7073 was the highest amount earned at the rodeo by any contestant.

Castillo, who attends Howard College in Big Spring, Texas, used the Laughlin win to jump from 21st place in the Crown Royal world bull riding standings to 10th. He has now won more money than any other rookie; he blew past saddle bronc rider Rance Bray and timed-event hand Cash Myers in the Resistol Overall Rookie of the Year race to take the lead for the first time, and moved ahead of Texas rookie Jason Bennett to first place in the rookie bull riding standings.

Three-time world calf roping champ and Crown Royal world all-around standings leader Fred Whitfield of Hockley, Texas, has hardly gone a week without earning a paycheck, and last week was no exception. He roped and tied his short-round calf in Laughlin in eight seconds to win the round and place fourth in the calf roping average race with 28.8 seconds on three head. He pocketed $2983 for his efforts and remains atop the all-around standings with a staggering $70,850 in 1999 earnings.

In the all-around race, Whitfield is followed by Chad Hagan, Leesville, La., with $31,884; Herbert Theriot, Poplarville, Miss., $31,585; Joe Beaver, Huntsville, Texas, $24,906; and Robert Bowers, Brooks, Alberta, Canada, $24,451.

Standings by event:

Saddle bronc riding: 1. Rod Hay, Wildwood, Alberta, $39,081; 2. Dean Schlattmann, Basin, Wyo., $28,184; 3. Tom Reeves, Eagle Butte, S.D., $26,400; 4. Dan Mortensen, Manhattan, Mont., $23,369; 5. Ira Slagowski, Carlin, Nev., $21,182.

Bareback riding: 1. Pete Hawkins, Weatherford, Texas, $31,657; 2. Jeffrey Collins, Redfield, Kan., $26,532; 3. Chris Harris, Arlington, Texas, $23,145; 4. Eric Mouton, Weatherford, Okla., $22,277; 5. Kelly Wardell, Bellevue, Idaho, $19,366.

Bull riding: 1. Gregory Potter, Weatherford, Texas, $28,293; 2. Cody Hancock, Taylor, Ariz., $21,006; 3. Myron Duarte, Auburn, Wash., $19,927; 4. Robert Bowers, $19,122; 5. Francis Wilson, Sidney, Neb., $18,711.

Calf roping: 1. Fred Whitfield, Hockley, Texas, $61,923; 2. Cody Ohl, Stephenville, Texas, $37,092; 3. Blair Burk, Durant, Okla., $34,444; 4. Johnny Emmons, Grandview, Texas, $24,992; 5. Tony Reina, Wharton, Texas, $23,331.

Steer wrestling: 1. Rope Myers, Van, Texas, $33,733; 2. Lee Graves, Calgary, Alberta, $25,672; 3. Chad Hagan, $23,298; 4. Randy Suhn, Laramie, Wyo., $21,081; 5. Jason Lahr, Emporia, Kan., $20,171.

Team roping (heading): 1. Charles Pogue, Ringling, Okla., $23,508; 2. Speed Williams, Jacksonville, Fla., $23,303; 3. Daniel Green, Oakdale, Calif., $21,657; 4. Tee Woolman, Llano, Texas, $17,980; 5. David Motes, Fresno, Calif., $15,742.

Team roping (heeling): 1. Britt Bockius, Claremore, Okla., $23,508 2. Rich Skelton, Lllano, Texas, $23,303; 3. Allen Bach, Turlock, Calif., $21,657; 4. Tyler Magnus, Llano, Texas, $17,980; 5. Wayne Folmer, Stephenville, Texas, $17,959.

Steer roping: 1. Guy Allen, Lovington, N.M., $9913; 2. Marty Jones, Hobbs, N.M., $9269; 3. De Lynn Jones, Hobbs, N.M., $8154; 4. Arnold Felts, Sonora, Texas, $7921; 5. J.B. Whatley, Gardendale, Texas, $7069.

Barrel racing: 1. Sherry Cervi, Midland, Texas, $41,026; 2. Janet Stover, Decatur, Texas, $26,205; 3. Jamie Richards, Kennewick, Wash., $20,675; 4. Talina Bird, Post, Texas, $20,374; 5. Ruth Haislip, Acampo, Calif., $19,896.