Whitfield tops calf roping

Friday, Dec. 11, 1998 | 11:13 a.m.

Whitfield, of Hockley, Texas, raised his season earnings to $127,218, but still trails leader Cody Ohl of Stephenville, Texas, by $61,803 with two rounds left in the season-ending event.

To pass Ohl, Whitfield needs to win both the final two rounds to move from third to first in the NFR average. He also needs Ohl to finish no better than seventh in each round and drop from first to ninth in the average.

"I've got an outside shot," Whitfield said. "I've got my work cut out for me, but if I draw some good calves and move up in the average ... anything can happen. Cody has roped well all week. He's probably the best going right now. My hat's off to him."

Trent Walls of Stephenville, Texas, was second Friday night with an 8.0-second run, and Rusty Seawalt of Del Rio, Texas, was third in 8.1 seconds.

Larry Sandvick of Kaycee, Wyo., won the bareback with an 85-point ride. Chris Harris of Arlington, Texas, and Denny McClanahan of Canadian, Texas, tied for second with 83s.

Dan Mortensen of Manhattan, Mont., who clinched the saddle bronc world championship Thursday night, won the event for the second straight night, scoring 84 points. Bret Franks of Goodwell, Okla., was second at 79, and Robert Etbauer, also of Goodwell, was third at 77.

In bull riding, Brian Herman scored an 85 to win the round. Ty Murray of Stephenville, Texas, was the only other competitor to have a qualified ride, finishing with an 84.

Murray leads the all-around with $209,895. Herbert Theriot of Poplarville, Miss., is second with $168,168.

Jeff Corbello of Iowa, La., topped the steer wrestling with a 3.7-second run. Ote Berry of Checotah, Okla., was second in 3.9 seconds, and Rope Myers of Van, Texas, and Theriot tied for third at 4.0 seconds.

In team roping, J.P. Wickett of Sallisaw, Texas, and Trevor Brazile of Decatur, Texas, won the round with a 4.5-second run. In barrel racing, Janet Stover of Jacksonville, Texas, won her fifth go-round with a 13.98-second run.