UNLV grad Jessee turns in another strong performance

Monday, Dec. 15, 2003 | 9:25 a.m.

On a horse named Elvis, bareback rider Cody Jessee finished third Sunday in last round of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center

That capped a fine return home for Jessee, a UNLV graduate and Oregon resident who tied a record with 839 points on his 10 rides to earn $36,763 for winning the aggregate prize and bump his NFR take to $92,139.

Royce Ford finished second, with 837 points. Jessee finished the season with $165,066. Will Lowe won the season title, and world championship, with $188,246.

"You deserve it," Lowe told Jessee upon passing him in a hallway. "You did awesome."

Jessee said his performance might not sink in until he gets home to Prineville, Ore.

"Or, it might never sink in," Jessee said. "It was just neat to do well here and be the best here, as far as the average goes. I just ride every night for what it is."

It was Jessee's second consecutive NFR.

"I mean, shoot, it's overwhelming," he said. "You work so hard for something. A lot of times, you're always second or third. I finally won. I never dreamed of this. I'm just a day-to-day person, just take things as they come and do my best.

"I guess the harder you work at something, you'll accomplish your goals. This was one of my goals, and I'm so happy about it. It's freaking awesome."

Jennifer Williams gave birth to the couple's first child, a 7-pound, 13-ounce girl they named Halli, hours earlier Sunday, which was also Speed Williams' 36th birthday.

Williams, a header, teamed with heeler Rich Skelton to win $74,682 apiece at the NFR, pumping their championship seasonal totals to $180,305.

"It's been a little stressful for me to be here," Williams said, "instead of being home with my wife."

Originally from Tahlequah, Okla., the couple has attended all 45 NFRs.

When the television camera focused on them, Jack Watson used the opportunity to hold a hand-written sign that read "GOOD BYE, SEDDAM," in reference to the deposed Iraqi dictator who was found over the weekend.