Steer wrestler fit to be tied

Bill Bowman

Tuesday, Dec. 10, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

In the time it takes you to read this sentence, Brian Fulton has put in a full day on the job.

In fact Fulton, one of the top steer wrestlers in the world, has worked just 15.9 seconds in four go-rounds of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center.

That's just fine with the Valentine, Neb., cowboy.

Fulton has tied for first in two go-rounds and earned $30,088.38 to lead the NFR in steer wrestling money this week. Overall, he is third in the chase for the world title.

"It's all in the timing," he said of steer wrestling. "Getting off to a good start is everything."

His work day averages $1,892.35 per second this week.

Monday night, he kept up the pressure.

Fulton turned in a time of 4.0 seconds, good enough for third place and $6,674.54.

Ivan Teigen of Camp Crook, S.D., and Victor Deck of Summerdale, Ala., tied for first with times of 3.7 seconds.

"I was a little late getting out," Fulton said. "I didn't get as good a start as I would have liked, but the steer ran well. Once I got to him, he went down pretty easy."

Fulton has gotten off to a quick start at the NFR and said that has made the week easier.

"It takes the pressure off," he said of cashing early paychecks. "If you don't have some success early, you can start to press and make mistakes."

And Fulton is quick to add that mistakes can be costly.

"You don't really have time to think about a lot," he said. "You've just got to rely on what you've worked on all your life."

Fulton also credits Todd Suhn for his success this week.

Well, make that Suhn's horse -- Super.

"The horse is 90 percent," Fulton said. "And he's a good horse. He makes my job a lot easier."

Although he's closing in on a world title, Fulton doesn't want to look that far ahead.

"We've still got a long way to go," he said. "My goal is still the same. I just want to throw every one down as quickly as I can. After 10 rounds, someone will sort it out and tell us who wins."

The steer wrestlers weren't the only ones showing off their speed Monday as Brent Lewis of Eloy, Ariz., won the calf roping go-round with a time of 8.1 seconds.

"I got off to a real good start," Lewis said. "If you can get that good start and get the calf roped, you can put up a good time."

Lewis has had his share of good rounds at the NFR. He failed to cash in the first go-round, but then cashed the second night, tied for second on Sunday and won Monday's go-round.

"I'd like to follow it up with another win," he said. "I'd like to cash in nine out of 10. It will be hard to do, but it could happen."

He'd also like to have a few more go-round wins.

"I've won two go-rounds before, but never three," he said.

He said staying confident is the key.

"The toughest thing is getting here," he said. "Any of us can beat the others. There's always pressure coming here. World championships are won and lost here."

Other winners Monday included:

* James Boudreaux of Hackberry, La., in the bareback event with a score of 82.

* The team of Steve Purcella of Hereford, Texas, and Steve Northcott of Odessa, Texas, in the team roping with a clocking of 4.9 seconds.

* Dan Etbauer of Goodwell, Okla., in saddle bronc with a score of 88.

* Kristie Peterson in the barrel race with a time of 14.11 seconds.

* Terry Don West of Henryetta, Okla., in the bull riding with a score of 91 aboard Copenhagen Erkel.