Ty Murray sets mark with 7th world title

Bill Bowman

Monday, Dec. 14, 1998 | 9:29 a.m.

Ty Murray is back.

Murray, the six-time all-around world champion in professional rodeo, made it a record seven at the National Finals Rodeo, which concluded Sunday at the Thomas & Mack Center.

"It feels great," said Murray, who also won the bull riding crown. "I've been dreaming about this since I was a little boy."

Murray put the all-around title away when he finished second in the saddle bronc event Sunday, scoring an 81. He added an exclamation point in the bull riding when he tied for fifth and sixth.

When the dust cleared, Murray was on top of the world again.

"I don't think anybody thought I could get back," Murray said of a three-year battle with injuries.

Murray won six straight all-around crowns from 1989 through 1994. Injuries hampered him until this year, and the determined cowboy came in ready to show he was back in form.

"Words can't explain what something like this means," he said of a comeback that wasn't easy.

"You have to do (rehabilitation). You don't have a coach. You can't sit around and feel sorry for yourself. You've got to go out and work for it."

And work he did, all year long.

"Every rodeo was important to me," he said. "Every time I get on, it's important to try and do my best. I really wanted this ... I really did."

With the all-around title, Murray now stands alone. He passed Larry Mahan and Tom Ferguson, each with six all-around titles.

"Larry called (Saturday night) and wished me luck," Murray said. "That's just the kind of guy he is."

Murray wound up the year with $264,672.93 in the all-around race. Herbert Theriot finished second with $228,561.47.

Those two weren't alone at the $200,000 mark this year.

In fact, three others wound up over that barrier, and all of them took part in just one event.

Dan Mortensen, in saddle bronc, finished with $227,378.08 while calf roper Cody Ohl wound up with $222,794.13. Kristie Peterson had $212,998.49 in barrel racing.

All three came away with world titles.

For Mortensen, it was a walk in the park as he won the crown by almost $100,000.

But that didn't stop him from going out with a bang, as he won the final go-round with an 88 aboard Skoal's Wild Card.

"It was pretty special to end that way," he said. "It's nice to make a ride like that on a horse like that. To get on an animal like that is quite an honor."

Mortensen said winning never gets old.

"It's awesome," he said. "It always means a lot to go up against the best and see if you can come out on top."

Ohl, who won his second calf roping crown, was stunned with his year.

"Everything went so well," he said. "After the first couple of rounds (at the NFR), I knew I was OK. I just had a great year and I really finished strong here."

Those sentiments were shared by Peterson, who wound up winning almost $100,000 at the 10-day event.

"I had a great season and just a great finals," she said. "I cashed in 50 of 53 rodeos ... I just really like the way the year turned out."

Other world champions included:

* Mark Gomes in bareback, winning $142,529.57. "The whole year came down to the final eight seconds with Larry (Sandvick) and Chris (Harris)," Gomes said. None of the three placed in the final go-round, giving Gomes the title.

"I've worked my whole life for this," Gomes said. "This is just great."

* Mike Smith in steer wrestling. "After 11 years of adversity and finishing second twice, this feels real good," Smith said. "I've devoted more time to it this year and it's paid off."

* Speed Williams and Rich Skelton in team roping. They teamed up to win $65,962.41 at this year's NFR.

* Murray in bull riding, winning $71,328.48 in the 10 rounds.

Round 10 winners

-- Bareback: Denny McClanahan with an 87.

-- Steer wrestling: Tommy Cook with a time of 3.6 seconds.

-- Team roping: J.P. Wickett and Trevor Brazile with a time of 4.3 seconds.

-- Saddle bronc: Mortensen.

-- Calf roping: Joe Beaver with a time of 7.5 seconds.

-- Barrel racing: Charmayne James with a time of 13.92 seconds.

-- Bull riding: Corey Navarre with a score of 93.

Popular cowboy

Calf roper Stran Smith was honored Sunday as the 1998 Original Coors Fans' Favorite Cowboy.

"This award means more to me that any other that I've ever won because it's voted on by the fans," Smith said.

archive