Reigning Champs Edging Closer
To Repeating Past Performance

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Repeat world championships in 1999 are closer than ever for two reigning world champions.

Five-time world saddle bronc riding champion Dan Mortensen of Manhattan, Mont., took a step closer to the number one position in the Crown Royal world standings with $4444 earned for winning every round at the recent $93,734 Lewiston (Idaho) Roundup.

Mortensen has earned $88,110 riding saddle broncs this season. The 1997 world all-around champ is ranked second in bronc riding, but is closing the gap on leader Rod Hay. Hay leads the bronc riding standings with $103,640 in regular-season earnings.

Reigning world champion team ropers Speed Williams and Rich Skelton also sit second in their respective world standings. They dominated Lewiston's team roping to the tune of $3984, roping three steers in 18 seconds for the average title. The two have earned more than $11,000 each in the last two weeks to come within $7000 of standings leaders Daniel Green and Allen Bach.

Fred Whitfield, Hockley, Texas, leads the all-around standings with $138,952. He is followed by Ty Murray, Stephenville, Texas, with $114,039; Cody Ohl, Orchard, Texas, $109,038; Trevor Brazile, Childress, Texas, $93,262; and Herbert Theriot, Poplarville, Miss., $89,485.

Saddle bronc riding: 1. Rod Hay, Wildwood, Alberta, Canada, $103,640; 2. Dan Mortensen, $88,110; 3. Glen O'Neill, Water Valley, Alberta, $79,812; 4. Billy Etbauer, Ree Heights, S.D., $75,460; 5. Scott Johnston, De Leon, Texas, $62,559.

Bareback riding: 1. Pete Hawkins, Weatherford, Texas, $79,925; 2. Jeffrey Collins, Redfield, Kan., $64,212; 3. Mark Gomes, Nickerson, Kan., $63,876; 4. Mark Garrett, Nisland, S.D., $59,203; 5. Clint Corey, Powell Butte, Ore., $55,960.

Bull riding: 1. Gregory Potter, Weatherford, Texas, $82,915; 2. Vince Stanton, Weiser, Idaho, $63,633; 3. Tony Mendes, Jensen, Utah, $59,696; 4. Robert Bowers, Brooks, Alberta, $57,326; 5. Mike Moore, Wellington, Colo., $55,784.

Calf roping: 1. Fred Whitfield, Hockley, Texas, $117,652; 2. Blair Burk, Durant, Okla., $103,258; 3. Cody Ohl, $88,727; 4. Jerome Schneeberger, Ponca City, Okla., $69,916; 5. Ty Hays, Weatherford, Okla., $65,837.

Steer wrestling: 1. Lee Graves, Calgary, Alberta, $75,946; 2. Tommy Cook, Heber, Utah, $68,270; 3. Ote Berry, Checotah, Okla., $63,343; 4. Birch Negaard, Buffalo, S.D., $61,120; 5. Jason Lahr, Emporia, Kan., $58,885.

Team roping (heading): 1. Daniel Green, Oakdale, Calif., $72,187; 2. Speed Williams, Jacksonville, Fla., $65,254; 3. Kevin Stewart, Glen Rose, Texas, $52,717; 4. Charles Pogue, Ringling, Okla., $50,251; 5. Tee Woolman, Llano, Texas, $46,102.

Team roping (heeling): 1. Allen Bach, Valley Home, Calif., $72,187; 2. Rich Skelton, Llano, Texas, $65,254; 3. Martin Lucero, Stephenville, Texas, $52,717; 4. Britt Bockius, Claremore, Okla., $50,251; 5. Wayne Folmer, Stephenville, Texas, $47,141.

Steer roping: 1. Guy Allen, Lovington, N.M., $64,485; 2. Rocky Patterson, Pratt, Kan., $39,610; 3. Trevor Brazile, $35,716; 4. Jim Davis, Abilene, Texas, $33,482; 5. De Lynn Jones, Hobbs, N.M., $29,648.

Barrel racing: 1. Sherry Cervi, Midland, Texas, $119,495; 2. Kristie Peterson, Elbert, Colo., $76,544; 3. Rachael Myllymaki, Arlee, Mont., $70,965; 4. Gail Hillman, Waller, Texas, $54,781; 5. Janet Stover, Decatur, Texas, $53,437.