Brazile enters an elite circle

Monday, Dec. 13, 2004 | 8:51 a.m.

SUN WIRE REPORTS

Trevor Brazile of Decatur, Texas, put himself on quite an impressive list of cowboys Sunday at the 46th Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

By claiming his third consecutive world all-around title, Brazile joined Ty Murray (1989-91), Lewis Feild (1985-87), Tom Ferguson (1976-78), Larry Mahan (1966-68), Dean Oliver (1963-65) and Jim Shoulders (1956-58) as the only cowboys to win three in a row.

Murray ultimately won six consecutive championships.

Brazile, 27, who ended the season with $253,170 -- more than $60,000 ahead of the rest of the field -- finished second in the world steer roping standings following the National Finals Steer Roping last month in Amarillo, Texas, and was a contender to win the world tie-down roping title until a no-time in the fourth round.

Although winning an event title is still a dream, the all-around remains Brazile's focus.

"My goal was the all-around," Brazile said. "Everything that comes with it makes it that much sweeter. This has really been a great year for me."

The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo wrapped up its 10-day run at the Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday with four previous world champions -- Brazile, team ropers Speed Williams and Rich Skelton, both of Llano, Texas; and saddle bronc rider Billy Etbauer of Edmond, Okla. -- joining five first-time titlists -- bareback rider Kelly Timberman of Mills, Wyo.; steer wrestler Luke Branquinho of Los Alamos, Calif.; tie-down roper Monty Lewis of Hereford, Texas; bull rider Dustin Elliott of Tecumseh, Neb.; and barrel racer Kelly Kaminski of Bellville, Texas -- in the winner's circle.

Williams and Skelton extended their PRCA-record streak of team roping titles to eight, breaking the overall record for event crowns. They did so despite a Round 10 run that saw Skelton miss his heel catch and end up with a 13th-place time.