Beaver: Don’t count me out yet

Victoria Sun

Friday, Dec. 8, 2000 | 9:50 a.m.

They had written him off before.

When Joe Beaver scanned several publications to see who they predicted would finish atop the all-around world standings when the National Finals Rodeo concluded at the Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday, he noticed that his name was missing.

That didn't perturb him so much as amuse him. And in the end, Beaver may get the last laugh.

"See, they didn't put me in the count," Beaver said with an indulgent smile. "Y'all shouldn't have done that.

"They've counted me out before. I've made them eat their words and sometimes, they've made me eat mine, but who knows? I'm optimistic I've got a good shot. If I can just get to fifth in the average of calf roping and win about $22,000 and $20,000 in team roping, who knows?"

Beaver entered the NFR that started Dec. 1 12th in the world all-around standings with $102,040. Before the NFR, he was also 12th in calf roping and 14th in team roping.

But a very successful week at the NFR has vaulted him to second place in the all-around behind Scott Johnston.

In Thursday night's seventh go-round Beaver had his worst finish, a time of 8.50 seconds, for sixth place to win $2,118.30. Blair Burk took first at 7.50 followed by Clay Cerny at 7.60.

Behind Beaver and Gould were Speed Williams and Rich Skelton and Steve Purcella and Kory Koontz. Both of these teams had times of 4.3.

Thursday's other go-round winners: