Durfey captures his second career NFR go-around
Colbert tie-down roper moves up to fourth in average after 7.6- second run
LAS VEGAS – Tyson Durfey turned in a 7.6-second run in tie-down roping to share first in the seventh go-round of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Wednesday night, the second go-round win of his career.
The Colbert roper won a round in 2008, his second at the NFR. He tied with Clint Cooper and Ryan Jarrett.
Durfey moved up a notch to fourth in the average with a total time of 61 seconds for seven rounds.
“You know, the week started out great,” said Durfey who won $14,231 with his effort. “I got a fifth and a second (place) right off the bat, and then it kind of got a little slow. It’s great to get a go-round win, even if it’s split three ways.”
Shane Proctor was one of just two bull riders to stay aboard, marking a 77 on Jordan’s Jacket that moved the Grand Coulee cowboy into third place in the average.
His nearest competitor, J.W. Harris, the three-time world champion, bucked off to drop behind Proctor, who is one of three cowboys to make four rides.
Jake O’Meara is leading the average and sitting third in the season standings, but is more than $70,000 behind Proctor.
Proctor is also trying to hold on to second in the all-around race.
Cheney bareback rider Ryan Gray finished out of the money with a 78 and dropped to sixth in the average. Leader Lewis Feild won for the fourth time in seven rounds. He also has a second and third and is running away with the average as well as making his lead in the standings almost insurmountable.
Feild took advantage of a re-ride to score 85.5 points on Gold Dust. Field received the option for a re-ride after scoring 74 points on Inky.
In saddle bronc riding, world standings leader Taos Muncy of Corona, N.M., won the seventh round with an 86.5 on Blew Apart.
In steer wrestling, world standings leader Luke Branquinho of Los Alamos, Calif., a two-time world champion, tied for fifth with Jason Miller of Lance Creek, Wyo., in 4.3 seconds. Branquinho also is the NFR aggregate standings leader with a seven-run time of 26.8. He is on pace to break the NFR record of 37.4 set by Rope Myers in 2001. Branquinho’s slowest time so far is 4.3.
Olin Hannum of Malad, Idaho, won the round at 3.8.