Roper Joe Beaver Claims All-Around Title

For the first time since the National Finals Rodeo moved to Las Vegas in 1985, a cowboy competing in the timed events won the all-around title.

Joe Beaver of Huntsville, Texas, clinched his first all-around title with a first place in the calf roping Friday night.

Beaver had an 8.2-second run to win $12,670 and increase his season earnings to $130,165.

“I just needed to get a check,” said Beaver, second in the all-around in 1991, ‘93 and ‘94. “I knew I had a good calf. It’s about time.”

Beaver regularly competes only in calf roping, but this season started team roping more when six-time all-around cowboy Ty Murray injured a knee and couldn’t compete. Beaver won $19,154 team roping during the season.

Aaron Semas of Auburn, Calif., rode Bad to the Bone for a 90 score to win the bull riding go-round. World leader Jerome Davis of Arch dale, N.C., was bucked off a bull for the first time in eight go-rounds.

Rooster Reynolds of Twin Bridges, Mont., won his second steer wrestling go-round with a 4.5-second run.

In bareback riding, Lance Crump of Cooper, Texas, scored an 81 to win his third NFR go-round. In saddle bronc riding, Rod Hay of Canada won the round with an 86-point ride.