Lewis Looking Good at San Antonio Stock Show Rodeo Title
By Susan Kanode
For the San Antonio Stock Show Rodeo
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Feb. 13, 2015) — Winning the prestigious San Antonio Stock Show Rodeo is on every rodeo contestant’s bucket list.
First they have to qualify to be among the elite contestants here. Then they have to advance to the championship round through a series of brackets. The system allows rodeo’s best several opportunities to get a portion of the $1.65 million in prize money before the finals. While getting a check here might be easier than at a traditional rodeo, earning the championship buckle and all of the prizes that go with it takes consistency and determination in an arena known for making dreams come true.
Monty Lewis from Hereford, Texas, knows very well what it means to win in the AT&T Center. He was crowned the tie-down roping champion in 2009 earning $17,371. That earned him a trip to Las Vegas to compete at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) the next December.
The 2004 world champion took the early lead here on Thursday night with a blazing fast 7.9-second run. The next fastest competitor was Cade Swor from Winnie, Texas, with an 8.5. Lewis has missed the last two NFRs and is on a mission to be there next December. He currently leads the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association World Standings with $22,033 in earnings, a figure that he could double here.
“Winning San Antonio was huge for me before,” Lewis said. “I like the way I’ve started out here this year. I’ve had the best start to a season that I’ve had in my career and just hope I can keep that momentum going.”
Friday’s rodeo will feature the second round of bracket one starting at 7:30 p.m.
The following are results from the first performance of the San Antonio Stock Show Rodeo which features over $1.65 million in cash and prizes.
Bareback Riding: 1, (tie) Steven Dent, Mullen, Neb., on Beutler and Son Rodeo’s On Top and Austin Foss, Terrebonne, Ore., on Harry Vold Rodeo’s Misty Valley, 82 points and $1,996 each. 3, (tie) Tilden Hooper, Carthage, Texas, and Richmond Champion, The Woodlands, Texas, 79, $855.
Steer Wrestling: 1,Todd Suhn, Hermosa, S.D., 3.5 seconds, $2,281. 2, Cole Edge, Durant, Okla., 4.0, $1,711. 3, Sean Mulligan, Coleman, Okla., 4.1, $1,141. 3, Tommy Cook, McAlester, Okla., 4.3, $570.
Team Roping: 1, Jake Stanley, Hermiston, Ore., and Russell Cardoza, Terrebonne, Ore., 5.1 seconds, $2,281. 2, Charly Crawford, Prineville, Ore., and Shay Carroll, La Junta, Colo., 4.5, $1,711. 3, Joel Bach, San Augustine, Texas, and Tommy Zuniga, Centerville, Texas, 5.3, $1,141. 4, Derrick Begay, Seba Dalkai, ARiz., and Clay O’Brien Cooper, Gardnerville, Nev., 6.1, $570.
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Sterling Crawley, Stephenville, Texas, 83 points on Calgary Stampede’s Mad Money, $2,281. 2, Dean Wadsworth, Ozona, Texas, 81, $1,711. 3, (tie) Jacobs Crawley, Stephenville, Texas, and Joaquin Real, Santa Paul, Calif., 79 and $855 each.
Tie-Down Roping: 1, Monty Lewis, Hereford, Texas, 7.9 seconds, $2,281. 2, Cade Swor, Winnie, Texas, 8.5, $1,711. 3, (tie) Randall Carlisle, Athens, La., and Scott Kormos, Teague, Texas, 9.4 and $855 each.
Women’s Barrel Race: 1,Victoria Williams, Kiln, Miss., 13.95 seconds, $2,281. 2, Kenna Squires, Fredonia, Texas, 13.99, $1,711. 3, Kassidy Dennison, Tohatchi, N.M., 14.13, $1,141. 4,Gretchen Benbenek, Aubrey, Texas, 14.16, $570.
Bull Riding: (two rides) 1, Dallee Mason, Weiser, Idaho, 75 points on Beutler and Son Rodeo’s Game On, $2,281. 2, Joe Frost, Randlett, Utah, 65, $1,711.
Courtesy of PRCA