Newlywed rings up another victory

Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2004 | 9:29 a.m.

SUN WIRE REPORTS

Married a week and a half ago, Luke Branquinho came to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo not only a newlywed, but also as the world's top steer wrestler. And during the past five nights, he has put himself in position to really make his dreams come true as he seeks his first world championship gold buckle on Sunday.

Branquinho of Los Alamos, Calif., further strengthened his world title hopes after his victory Tuesday in the fifth round of the Wrangler NFR in front of 17,230 at the Thomas & Mack Center. It was his second consecutive round victory and third in the past four days.

"I feel like I'm bulldogging good and I'm drawing good cattle," Branquinho said. "It's working out, but anyone here could beat me."

The Wrangler NFR, which is marking its 20th year in Las Vegas, is the world's premier rodeo. The top 15 contestants in each of rodeo's events qualified for the event, which will crown world champions Sunday.

The event resumes with Round 6 at 7 p.m. today.

Three world champions moved into second place in the world standings after winning their rounds Tuesday.

Seven-time and reigning world team roping champions Speed Williams and Rich Skelton, both of Llano, Texas, won their second round, stopping the clock in 4.4 seconds.

Four-time world saddle bronc riding champion Billy Etbauer of Edmond, Okla., rode Flying 5's Snuff Sundance for 84 points and the round title, his second of the Wrangler NFR. He's just $5,200 from world standings leader and reigning champion Dan Mortensen of Billings, Mont., who is not competing because of a broken and dislocated ankle.

Cleve Schmidt waited six years to finally make it back to Las Vegas, and he returned to the winner's circle Tuesday with an 89-point ride on Sankey Rodeo's Broadmore. Schmidt of Belle Fourche, S.D., edged reigning world champion Will Lowe of Canyon, Texas, by one point. Lowe reclaimed the top spot in the world standings by about $9,000. Tie-down roper Cade Swor of Winnie, Texas, making his first NFR appearance, roped and tied his calf in 7.2 seconds, one-tenth of a second better than reigning and four-time world tie-down roping champion Cody Ohl.

World standings bull riding leader Dustin Elliott of Tecumseh, Neb., also is competing in his first Wrangler NFR. He won his first round with an 89.5-point ride.

Barrel racer Molly Powell of Sims, Mont., had the fastest run of Tuesday's round.