LAS VEGAS (AP) — Two-time tie-down roping champion Trevor Brazile won the first round of the National Finals Rodeo on Thursday night in 6.80 seconds to move into third place in the season standings.
Brazile, from Decatur, Texas, broke the first-round record of 6.90 set by Cody Ohl in 2004 and matched by second-place finisher Matt Schiozawa of Chubbuck, Idaho, earlier Thursday.
“That’s sweet,” said Brazile, the nine-time all-around champion who has 21 world titles. “I had no idea. That’s a great set of calves.”
Brazile pushed his season total to $128,209. He leads the all-around at $328,473.
Defending three-time champion Tuf Cooper of Decatur, Texas, remained the standings leader with $140,803 after failing to finish among the top six with a time of 12.00.
In bull riding, defending champion Sage Kimzey of Strong City, Oklahoma, stayed on top of the standings with $184,601 despite being bucked off of Psycho Patch. Parker Breding of Edgar, Montana, won with an 86.5 on Magic Bullet. He’s second in the standings with $158,477.
In team roping, the defending championship team of header Clay Tryan of Billings, Montana, and heeler Jade Corkill, of Fallon, Nevada, finished fourth in 4.40 to maintain their leads with $151,497 each. Header Aaron Tsinigine of Tuba City, Arizona, and Ryan Motes of Weatherford, Texas, won in 4.10.
“It’s got to be the toughest first round we’ve ever had,” Motes said. “Right through the beginning, it was fast. Normally in the first round there a several misses, a lot of legs and stuff. Tonight, people were on point and sharp. It’s a lot easier to get going when it is semi-tough.”
In bareback riding, Kaycee Feild of Spanish Fork, Utah, who has won four consecutive championships and four straight NFR aggregate crowns, finished in a four-way tie for third with an 81 on Miss Dunny. Field leads the standings with $137,559. Tim O’Connell of Zwingle, Iowa, won with an 84.5 on Dilly Bar.
In steer wrestling, K.C. Jones of Decatur, Texas, won with a 3.40 to move into third place with $107,216.
“That was a red steer that I didn’t think we would be that fast on,” Jones said, “but that little black mare (Smoker) I rode, she is just so fast and it worked out.”
Ty Erickson of Helena, Montana, was third in 3.60, and leads the standings with $115,433.
In saddle bronc, standings leader Cody DeMoss of Heflin, Louisiana, was fifth an 82 on Manhattan Moon, to raise his total to $136,166. Wade Sundell of Coleman, Oklahoma, won with an 86.5 on Fire Lane and is second in the standings with $130,910.
In barrel racing, Callie DuPerier of Boerne, Texas, stayed on top with $183,692 by finishing fifth in 14.08. Cassidy Kruse of Gillette, Wyoming, won with a 13.84.