World Champs Visit

Three former world champions headline the list of competitors for the Wrangler Prorodeo Classic that kicks off tonight at the Arena.

Bareback rider Clint Corey, who holds the Arena record in his event, and steer wrestler Brad Gleason both competed at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas last month. Both finished third in last year’s Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association standings with more than $115,000 in earnings.

Former world champion team roper Mike Beers, who won with Dee Pickett in 1984, also is a regular at this rodeo. In his long career, Beers ranks among the sport’s all-time leaders with more than $1 million in winnings.

The three-day rodeo is a PRCA event. It starts at 8 p.m. today and Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. The event started a six-year run in the Coliseum in 1993 but was not held last year so producer Jerome Robinson of Western Trails Rodeo Company in Fort Collins, Colo., could bring a Professional Bull Riders event.

When the rodeo was here two years ago, Corey, the 1991 world champion, set an Arena record with an 82 aboard Diligent. Corey, who once called Kennewick home and now lives in Powell Butte, Ore., rides on Saturday. Diligent is matched up with Arlen Coates tonight and 1997 rodeo winner Joe Ketter of Roy, Wash., on Sunday.

Gleason, the 1997 world champion, is a Montanan based in Touchet, Wash. He is competing during slack after tonight’s performance. Slack is an extra session used to handle overflow entries in timed events.

Beers, of Powell Butte, competes in team roping tonight.

The hottest event tonight could be steer wrestling. Entered are Jeff Green of Pendleton, Ore., the 1996 winner, and Tom Camarillo, who now lists Ione, Wash., as his home. Camarillo won the 1994 rodeo and was also the top money winner that year with more than $1,700 in winnings. Todd McKay of Clarno, Ore., who won the bronc riding at the 1997 rodeo, is up tonight, along with 1998 calf roping winner Seth Hopper of Stanfield, Ore.

Among the team ropers competing tonight are Johnny Sloan of Ellensburg, winner in 1993, and Dave Inman of Colfax, the 1995 winner. Both are with different partners. Inman is teamed with Mike Fuller of Clarkston, the 1999 Columbia River Circuit champion.

Blake Swaggart of Ritter, Ore., who set a saddle bronc record of 84 two years ago, is not on the list of entries but his mount is. Crash Landing, which carried Swaggart to the record, has been drawn by Jeb Knox, who won last year’s Columbia River Circuit Finals. That matchup is Saturday, which features 1995 rodeo winner Gary Alger of Pendleton.

Steve Currin of Heppner, Ore., is among Saturday’s steer wrestlers. He won the 1997 rodeo. R.A. Lovell of Canby, Ore., who teamed with Sloan in 1993, is in team roping Saturday, as is 1993 calf roping champion Curtis Pederson of Hermiston, Ore.

Sloan is out again Sunday in calf roping, the event he won at the recent Columbia River Finals. Sunday’s team roping includes Shane Crossley of Hermiston, who was on winning teams in 1994 and ‘98, and 1995 winner Guy Gregg of Touchet. Gregg is now teamed with Columbia River Finals winner Jimmy Jones of Culver, Ore.

Calf roping features four past champions, including Arena record holder Shane Hull of Ellensburg. Hull won in 1997 with a lightning time of 8.8 seconds. Unfortunately, Hull is competing during slack tonight, along with 1994 champion Tony Currin of Dayton, Wash.

College football, Offensive lineman Patrick Venzke will have one more year of football eligibility at Idaho, according to an NCAA ruling.

Venzke, a three-year starter, was believed to have lost his fourth season of eligibility because he played in a recreational football league while serving in the military in his native Germany.

Prep gymnastics

Central Valley improved to 12-0 in the Greater Spokane League by winning a five-way gymnastics meet at Shadle Park on Thursday night.

The Bears scored 168.25 points to top runner-up North Central (162.05), the host Highlanders (161.25), Mead and Lewis and Clark.

Sophomore April Mims won the floor exercise and vault to lead CV’s charge. Mims (35.3) was second to NC’s Amber Baines (35.7) in the all-around.

Also in the league, Lakeside sophomore Katie Dinsmore won all four events, including a 9.6 on the vault, to score 37.05 for a runaway all-around win during a five-way meet at University.

Ferris (10-1) scored 162.8 to edge the host Titans (162.75) for the team win. U-Hi teammates Alicia Brandle (34.0) and Marci Hulbert (32.85) finished 2-3 in the all-around. Hulbert finished second on the vault.

Prep wrestling

Medical Lake dominated the middle and upper weights to defeat host Deer Park 43-18 in a Great Northern League meet between 1-0 teams.

Pins by Jeremiah Johnson (145 pounds), Josh Cruger (152), Dustin Haynes (160), Andy Denson (189) and Jonny Varona (215) allowed the Cardinals to offset DP’s strength in the lower weights.

Also in the league, visiting Newport opened with five consecutive first-round pins and defeated Chewelah 51-22. Ryan Bennett (171), John Everett (189), Hawk Pagaling (215), Cody Donais (275) and Shawn Gilmour (103) staked Newport to a 30-0 lead with quick pins.

Pins by Adam Morris (140), Casey Bullen (145) and Kevin Parish (152) topped off Riverside’s 53-27 win at Pullman. The Rams, who had seven pins, were protecting a 35-27 lead before the three consecutive falls.

This sidebar appeared with the story: FAST FACTS Rodeo

The Wrangler Pro Rodeo Classic runs tonight through Sunday at the Arena.

Today, 8 p.m.

Saturday, 8 p.m.

Sunday, 2:30 p.m.

Tickets: Arena box office, or call 325-SEAT.