Colbert’s Durfey drops to third at NFR

LAS VEGAS – Colbert tie-down calf roper Tyson Durfey finished out of the money for the first time as the National Finals Rodeo reached the halfway point.

Durfey was timed in 12.9 seconds on Monday night, good for only 11th place among the top 15 ropers.

He also tumbled from the top spot to third in the average. His cumulative time for five rounds is 45 seconds.

Cheney’s Ryan Gray didn’t place in the money in bareback riding on Monday, but he did move up to third in the average. He placed in the first three rounds, but not the last two.

The leading average in bareback is Oregon’s Bobby Mote, a former world champion who won Monday’s round with a record-tying 91.5.

In Monday’s fifth round, Shaun Stroh of Dickinson, N.D., won the saddle bronc riding with an 87.5 on Kool Toddy, owned by Big Bend Rodeo Co., out of Ritzville.

Flying Five saddle bronc Spring Blues, also owned by Don Hutsell and Sonny Riley, bucked off Anthony Bello.

In bull riding, Wesley Silcox of Payson, Utah, took first with a ride of 89.5 on Crush Boss III. Zack Oakes of Elk didn’t place.