Round 1: All-around leader Johnston wins saddle bronc go-round

Saturday, Dec. 2, 2000 | 11:07 a.m.

Johnston, an Australian who lives in Gustine, Texas, scored 83 points on Robin Mountain. Johnston, also the season leader in saddle bronc, earned $13,133 to raise his total earnings to $152,575 in the event and $177,379 overall.

Chance Dixon of Heppner, Ore., was second with an 82, and Steve Dollarhide of Wikieup, Ariz., and T.C. Holloway of Eagle Butte, S.D., tied for third at 81.

Billy Etbauer, of Edmond, Okla., who entered the NFR in second place in saddle bronc riding, was bucked off.

"I try not to watch what everybody else is doing," said Johnston, a three-time NFR qualifier who broke his back in an airplane crash in 1988. "I just try and ride the best I can. But it was a bit of bad luck for Billy."

In bull riding, Cody Hancock of Taylor, Ariz., scored a 93 to win the round. Danell Tipton of Spencer, Okla., had an 86, and Lee Akin of Weatherford, Okla., was third with an 84.

In bareback riding, Jeff Collins of Redfield, Kan., won the round with an 87. Chad Klein of Jackson, La., and Deb Greenough of Red Lodge, Mont., tied for second with 82s.

Brent Lewis of Pinon, N.M., won the calf roping with a 7.4- second time. Herbert Theriot of Poplarville, Miss., was second in 7.6 seconds, and Clay Cerny of Eagle Lake, Texas, was third at 7.9 seconds.

In team roping, Wade Wheatley of Hughson, Calif., and Kyle Lockett of Ivanhoe, Calif., won the round with a 4.6-second run. Chance Kelton of Mayer, Ariz., and Monty Petska of Turlock, Calif., were second at 4.9.

Frank Thompson of Cheyenne, Wyo., won the steer wrestling go-round with a 3.7-second run. Todd Suhn of Brighton, Colo., followed at 3.8, and Rod Lyman of Victor, Mont., was third at 4.1.

In barrel racing, Marlene McRae of Ramah, Colo., won the round with a time of 13.82 seconds. Sherry Cervi of Marana, Ariz., was second in 14.04, and Kappy Allen of Austin, Texas, was third at 14.05.