Sandvick starts rodeo with a win

Ray Brewer

Friday, Dec. 4, 1998 | 11:25 a.m.

Larry Sandvick knows from past experiences not to get that excited.

Still, although it's early, Sandvick is sporting a big smile.

The Kaycee, Wyo., native turned in a go-around of 87 in the bareback riding event to highlight the first day of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

Sandvick's score was good enough for first place in the opening round of event and $13,004.64.

Sure, Sandvick will take the money and the quick start to coming out on top of the final bareback riding standings. But if last year is an example, Sandvick knows the hard work is just beginning.

At the 1997 NFR, Sandvick was victorious in the same event in the first day of competition only to finish fifth overall.

This year, the 5-foot-7, 145-pound cowboy hopes to make a bigger impact.

"It's a great feeling to start the week," Sandvick said. "But, I just went to one rodeo today. I have to come here every night and try to win first. There are 10 separate rodeos."

Sandvick's go-around almost turned disastrous when it appeared he was going to be thrown to the ground in the early going.

That wasn't the case, as Sandvick managed to hang on and in the process stay in the hunt for the world title. He is currently in second place in the world standings at $77,842.71, trailing Clint Corey (who made $1,576.32 in his opening go-around with a score of 78) by approximately $8,000.

"She started a little odd," Sandvick said of his horse. "I don't like a horse that walks out and starts bucking, it kind of takes your momentum away. I wasn't real pleased with the first three jumps. They lifted me up."

Then, there was the performance turned in by the legendary Ty Murray.

Murray, a six-time world champion, placed third in the bull riding event to earn $7,093.44 in his return after a three-year absence. Cody Custer won the bull riding event and $14,000 with a score of 86.

Last year's all-around champion, Dan Mortensen had a respectable outing.

Mortensen posted a 77 in the saddle bronc competition to place fourth and earn $3,152.64. Mortensen is currently in first place of the world standings for the saddle event with $133,981.12.

NOTES: Rod Lyman and Hebert Theriot tied for first in the steer wrestling event with a time of 3.70, while Kevin Stewart and Martin Lucero combined to capture the opening go-around of the team roping category with a time of 4.80....Derek Clark finished with the best score in the saddle bronc event, receiving an 80 to claim $13,004.64. With Friday's winnings, Clark still trails Mortensen for the saddle bronc world title by $45,000...Cody Ohl won the calf roping event with a time of 7.80 and is currently in first place of the world standings at $138,638.35...Ruth Haislip won the barrel racing event with a time of 14.07.