Stanton, Bowers tie for first in National Finals Rodeo

Tuesday, Dec. 7, 1999 | 10:39 a.m.

"I was starting to get a little frustrated," said Stanton, the Weisner, Idaho, cowboy who is competing in his first NFR. "I didn't even care about winning, I was just happy to ride one."

Canada's Robert Bowers also had an 84-point ride.

Six cowboys had qualifying rides Tuesday, one more than the previous two nights combined. Mike Moore of Wellington, Colo., and Justin Daugherty of Mineral Wells, Texas, tied for third with 82s.

Stanton, whose father Bill was a five-time NFR bull rider, rides with a brace on his left shoulder.

"My shoulder started dislocating," he said. "I probably should have taken some time off, but I didn't. If I take the brace off, it comes out."

Bowers, of Brooks, Alberta, had his left arm packed in ice following his ride and fears he might have broken it for the fourth time in four years.

"If it's broken, I'll just ride with my right hand," he said. "I'll get back on no matter what."

In bareback riding, world leader Pete Hawkins of Weatherford, Texas, won his second straight go-round and third in five nights with an 88. Jason Wylie of Rosebud, Ark., was second with an 86, and Mark Gomes of Nickerson, Kan.; Deb Greenough of Red Lodge, Mont.; and Larry Sandvick of Kaycee, Wyo., tied for third with 85s.

Billy Etbauer of Ree Heights, S.D., won the saddle bronc riding with an 86 score. Scott Johnston of DeLeon, Texas, was second with an 85, and Dan Mortensen of Manhattan, Mont., was third with an 84.

In calf roping, Stran Smith of Tell, Texas, and Tony Reina of Brazoria, Texas, tied for first with 7.6-second runs. Jerome Schneeberger of Ponca City, Okla., was third in 8.1 seconds.

Birch Negaard of Buffalo, S.D., won the steer wrestling with a 3.9-second run. Ote Berry of Checotah, Okla., and Mike Smith of New Iberia, La., tied for second at 4.0 seconds.

Speed Williams of Jacksonville, Fla., and Rich Skelton of Llano, Texas, won their second go-round in team roping with a 4.4-second run. They regained the top spot in the world standings.

In barrel racing, Janet Stover of Jacksonville, Texas, won the round with a 14.04-second run. World leader Sherry Cervi of Midland, Texas, was second in 14.07 seconds.