Sandvick Barely Makes NFR Cut,
All-Around Cowboy Race Close

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Larry Sandvick is seeing dollar signs.

The 33 year-old bareback bronc rider from Kaycee, Wyo., who won nearly $60,000 and a world title at the '98 National Finals Rodeo, has earned a shot at the $4.4 million 1999 National Finals Rodeo. Sandvick entered the final week of the season in 20th place, but grabbed $6473 at three season-ending rodeos to jump into the coveted 15th-place slot in the Crown Royal world bareback riding standings.

Sandvick's biggest check came courtesy of the American Royal Rodeo in Kansas City, Mo., where he won the first round with 81 points and the two-head average title with 155 points for $3235. At the Season Finale Rodeo in Casper, Wyo., Sandvick made an 81-point ride for third place and $693.

Sandvick's flight Sunday to San Francisco's Grand National rodeo was delayed in Salt Lake City, and he couldn't qualify for the NFR without winning money in San Francisco. Fortunately, the show jumping ran long and the rodeo started late.

Sandvick made it to the Cow Palace arena just in time to make an 80-point final-round ride and bring his three-head San Francisco total to 232 points. He earned a crucial $2545 paycheck from the rodeo, enough to push him $1252 ahead of Texan Lance Crump for the 15th spot.

Timed-event hand Trevor Brazile earned $7800 last week to jump from 18th to 14th in the world calf roping standings, bumping fellow Texan Jim Bob Mayes to 16th.

Also, calf roping standings leader Fred Whitfield used the weekend to set the regular-season calf roping earnings record with $126,247, and second-ranked calf roper Blair Burk placed in team roping in Casper, Wyo., to qualify for the 1999 all-around race in fifth place.

In team roping, Daniel Green and Allen Bach held on to their lead in the world standings and set a regular-season earnings record with $78,734. Several team ropers have qualified without their regular partners due to late-season rodeo winnings, including headers David Motes, Turtle Powell and Matt Tyler; and heelers Kory Koontz, John Paul Lucero and Bobby Harris.

Barrel racer Sherry Cervi broke her own record for regular-season earnings with $131,944, and bull rider Josh O'Byrne won the American Royal in Kansas City to spring from 16th to 10th place in the bull riding standings. Canadian Rob Bell wound up 15th by $91.66 — he had decided at the last minute to get on a bull in Casper, and for his efforts, received a day-money check for $92.22.

The all-around standings are almost too close to call. Fred Whitfield, Hockley, Texas, continues to maintain a fairly substantial lead with $152,338 in total earnings. The next four slots have changed hands numerous times throughout the season, and it's anyone's call as to how it will shake out. It's all now up to that grand finale event, the NFR. Cody Ohl, Stephenville, Texas, goes into the NFR in second place with $133,385. He is followed by Trevor Brazile, Childress, Texas, with $125,226; Blair Burk, Durant, Okla., $124,641; and Ty Murray, Stephenville, Texas, $121,577.

Standings by event:

Saddle bronc riding: 1. Rod Hay, Wildwood, Alberta, Canada, $113,392; 2. Dan Mortensen, Manhattan, Mont., $109,394; 3. Billy Etbauer, Ree Heights, S.D., $95,157; 4. Glen O'Neill, Water Valley, Alberta, $91,771; 5. Scott Johnston, DeLeon, Texas, $72,059.

Bareback riding: 1. Pete Hawkins, Weatherford, Texas, $86,495; 2. Jeffrey Collins, Redfield, Kan., $72,668; 3. Mark Gomes, Nickerson, Kan., $70,034; 4. Chris Harris, Arlington, Texas, $65,191; 5. Mark Garrett, Nisland, S.D., $62,352.

Bull riding: 1. Gregory Potter, Weatherford, Texas, $96,993; 2. Vince Stanton, Weiser, Idaho, $75,412; 3. Royd Doyal, Pittsburg, Texas, $63,584; 4. Tony Mendes, Jensen, Utah, $63,441; 5. Mike Moore, Wellington, Colo., $63,408.

Calf roping: 1. Fred Whitfield, $126,247; 2. Blair Burk, $120,542; 3. Cody Ohl, $101,116; 4. Ricky Hyde, Conway, Ark., $74,485; 5. Jerome Schneeberger, Ponca City, Okla., $74,334.

Steer wrestling: 1. Lee Graves, Calgary, Alberta, $81,382; 2. Tommy Cook, Heber City, Utah, $77,996; 3. Chad Hagan, Leesville, La., $69,246; 4. Ote Berry, Checotah, Okla., $68,489; 5. Mike Smith, New Iberia, La., $64,682.

Team roping (heading): 1. Daniel Green, Oakdale, Calif., $78,734; 2. Speed Williams, Jacksonville, Fla., $78,276; 3. Charles Pogue, Ringling, Okla., $56,381; 4. Kevin Stewart, Glen Rose, Texas, $54,163; 5. Tee Woolman, Llano, Texas, $52,017.

Team roping (heeling): 1. Allen Bach, Valley Home, Calif., $78,734; 2. Rick Skelton, Llano, Texas, $78,276; 3. Britt Bockius, Claremore, Okla., $56,381; 4. Martin Lucero, Stephenville, Texas, $54,163; 5. Tyler Magnus, Llano, Texas, $52,017.

Steer roping: 1. Guy Allen, Lovington, N.M., $74,566; 2. Rocky Patterson, Pratt, Kan., $56,975; 3. Trevor Brazile, $48,171; 4. Jim Davis, Abilene, Texas, $40,634; 5. Buster Record Jr., Buffalo, Okla., $38,986.

Barrel racing: 1. Sherry Cervi, Midland, Texas, $131,044; 2. Kristie Peterson, Elbert, Colo., $76,544; 3. Rachael Myllymaki, Arlee, Mont., $75,984; 4. Gail Hillman, Waller, Texas, $64,424; 5. Janet Stover, Jacksonville, Texas, $54,829.