Shock win game, lose No. 1 spot

Arena football: The Spokane Shock defeated the then-No. 2 Arizona Rattlers last week but found themselves out of the No. 1 spot in the AFL coaches poll after a two-week stay.

The Tampa Bay Storm took over first place in Wednesday’s poll after an eight-point win over the Chicago Rush, now No. 4. The Shock won by one point against Arizona, now No. 3.

Tampa Bay (9-3) had five first-place votes and 122 points in the poll, while the Shock (10-2) had 115 points with eight first-place votes to land in second.

The Shock travel to Cleveland for a game against the Gladiators on Saturday.

Victories don’t have big payoffs

Rodeo: With 28 rodeos and about $3 million up for grabs, the week-long stretch around Fourth of July is commonly referred to as “Cowboy Christmas” by PRCA competitors.

Well, Santa Claus almost forgot Spokane-area cowboys. Cheney bareback rider Ryan Gray and Colbert tie-down roper Tyson Durfey, who are having strong years, didn’t pocket the big bucks.

What they did do was win the same rodeo at St. Paul, Ore. Gray tied for the bareback crown, winning $8,883, while Durfey won the first round and average for $6,528.

Meanwhile, 11-time world champion Trevor Brazile traveled 6,500 miles hit nine rodeos and came away the big winner with $24,253.

Gray boosted his season total of more than $97,000 for a healthy lead in the bareback standings, while Durfey is seventh in tie-down roping with almost $53,000.

• The Cheney rodeo is this weekend with performances Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2.

There is a new event, open bull riding, with two dozen bulls available for anybody 18 or older who wants to try their luck.

Dave Trimmer