WYO Might

There was nearly a sigh of relief visible in the manner of Casper’s Jhett Johnson after he and team roping partner Steve Purcella stopped the clock at six seconds flat last night to collect fourth place money of $2,100 and finish tied for fourth/fifth in the average to bring their money total so far in Omaha to nearly $3,800. They secure a spot in the championships tonight where the top eight in each event compete and then the top four have at it to decide the winners at the 2009 River City Roundup. There are just a few rodeos left in the regular season and none (with the possible exception of the Heartland Finals in Waco, TX next month) have near the money available to change the world standings on a significant basis. Jhett had to finish the year in the money on almost every throw of his heeling rope in order to have a chance to make the national finals. And he did. Johnson was more than pleased with the run last night and gave his partner credit for staying focused:



Bobby Welsh of Gillette is Mr. Consistent in his playoff run. He has ridden all six bulls to the whistle thus far between Washington State and Omaha. Last night, his 82-point ride secured him second in the average even though getting started was difficult Friday since the bull didn’t seem to want to participate:



Welsh has won more than $7,000 thus far in Omaha.

There is plenty more of Wyoming to root for in the Omaha finals tonight. Kelly Timberman of Mills, WY made the cut and will seek a repeat bareback riding champ’s buckle here. Ryan Gray who grew up in Cheyenne and Laramie finished in the top spot in the bareback average.

Wyoming’s Miss Congeniality, owned by Hank and Lori Franzen’s Power River Rodeo Co. of Riverton, is due out in the first round tonight. Fans will surely be amazed at her initial high mark out of the chutes. She’ll be topped by Louisiana’s Heith DeMoss. Fasten your seatbelt Heith! The Omaha rodeo will be crystallized in highlight form and shown on ESPN2, Sunday, October 25 at 10 a.m. mountain time.