Allen captures 1997 steer roping crown

Thursday, Dec. 4, 1997 | 12:41 p.m.

Guy Allen, often referred to as 'The Legend,' continued his assault on the steer roping record books when he clinched his 12th world steer roping championship and set a National Finals Steer Roping earnings record.

The 39-year-old cowboy, who has earned seven straight gold buckles since 1991, also set a PRCA record for the most consecutive world titles.

Allen, of Lovington, N.M., won the 10-head average race at the $94,250 NFSR, Nov. 28-29 in Guthrie, Okla., and collected $23,925. Previously, the most money earned at the NFSR was $17,136, earned by Arnold Felts in 1993. Allen's record-breaking payoff brought his year-end earnings to $84,324, which shatters the previous record -- set by Allen in 1995 -- of $67,610.

"I didn't set a goal of winning $20,000 here, but I really felt like a guy could do it here this year," Allen said. "I didn't know it could be like this. I looked back on what I had done in past years when I won the average title and just tried to do that again."

Allen entered the '97 NFSR with a $20,000 lead over second-ranked Jim Davis of Abilene, Texas. After the first night of competition, Allen sat in ninth place in the average race with 81.2 seconds on five steers. Marty Jones of Hobbs, N.M., led the pack with a five-run time of 62.4 seconds.

Four rounds later, however, things were looking up for 'The Legend'. With just one round left, Rocky Garnett of McAlester, Okla., was the only man standing between Allen and the NFSR average title. In round 10, Garnett watched the average title slip away as he missed his first loop and settled for a 26.9-second run.

"When Rocky went out in the 10th round, that really opened the door for me in the average," said Allen, whose 11.5-second run in round 10 brought his average total to 136.2 seconds.

PRCA Commissioner Lewis A. Cryer presented Allen with his 12th gold buckle immediately following the last round of competition. The 1997 NFSR was Allen's 21 consecutive qualification to the prestigious event.

Trevor Brazile of Decatur, Texas, finished second in the NFSR average race in 143.6 seconds and earned $15,950 during the two-day event. Garnett landed in third place in the average race in 151.6 seconds and left Guthrie with $7,613. J.B. Whatley of Gardendale, Texas, finished fourth in 161.5 seconds and earned $4,713.

* World Titles: 1977, 80, 82, 84, 89, 91-97 World Champion Steer Roper.

* Hometown: Lovington, New Mexico.

* Date of Birth: September 5, 1958.

* Height/Weight: 6-2/200.

* 1996 Earnings: $69,999; $66,739 (SR); $3,260 (TR).

* 1996 NFR Earnings: $7,882.

* Year Joined PRCA: 1976.

* NFR Qualifications: 21 (1977-97).