Great Lakes Circuit makes good showing at DNCFR
By Maureen Panno

Bareback rider Bee Jay Scott of Otley, IA, fell just one point shy of taking the top spot in the first round competition of the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo in Pocatello, Idaho on Thursday night. Bee Jay pocketed a check in the amount of $2,640 for his effort.

Steer wrestler Wade Steffen, of Richmond, IL, finished third in the first round with a 4.2 second run that was worth a check for $1,807.

In Tie-down roping, Shane Wesley, of Silex, MO., claimed second place with a run of 8.8 seconds which was good for $2,610.

The Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo (DNCFR) is the crowning event of the PRCA's circuit system of regional competition. National circuit champions are determined at the elimination-style event. Cowboys compete in two preliminary rounds that are split into four performances. The top eight contestants in each event advance to the semifinals, where all previous scores are erased. After the completion of the semifinals, the top four contestants in each event move on to the final round, known as the Wrangler Round, where the national titles are decided. Each event champion will receive a one-year lease to a brand new Dodge Truck and will automatically be qualified into the first two Wrangler ProRodeo Tour playoffs later in the year.

As the second round got underway on Friday night, Great Lakes cowboys were leading the average races in Bareback riding (Bee Jay Scott, Otley, IA, with 163 points on two head), Steer Wrestling (Wade Steffen, Richmond , IL, with 8.6 seconds on two head), and Team Roping (Donnie McNeece, Mclouth , KS, and Chad Mathes, Lawson, MO, with 12.3 seconds on two head).

Unique to the DNCFR is the fact that contestants not only compete for themselves but also as a team. The Great Lakes Circuit Cowboys and barrel racers gave it their all, as always, but came away without any titles. As a whole, the GLC took fifth place with $26,084 in prize money won.

We thank all of the GLC contestants for representing us so well at this year's DNCFR

Dodge National Circuit Finals

March 17, 2007

Bareback Riding

Second round: 1. (tie) Chris Harris, Itasca , Texas , on Gold Buckle Rodeo Co.'s Treasure Island, and Dale Stoller, Great Falls , Mont. , on Burns Rodeo Co.'s Jake Spoon, 84.0 points, $3,080 each; 3. (tie) Tim Wilkinson, Fort Scott , Kan. , and Jason Havens, Prineville , Ore. , 81.0, $1,320 each.

Average: 1. Bee Jay Scott, Otley , Iowa , 163 points on two head, $3,520; 2. Chris Harris, Itasca, Texas, 162, $2,640; 3. Joe Gunderson, White, S.D., 160, $1,760; 4. Jason Havens, Prineville , Ore. , 159, $880; 5. Dale Stoller, Great Falls , Mont. , 158; 6. Wes Stevenson, Kaufman, Texas, 157; 7. (tie) Josi Young, Buhl, Idaho , Tim Shirley, Bailey , Colo. , Dustin Reeves, Owanka, S.D., and Matt Bright, Martin, Tenn., 156.

Semifinal round: 1. Wes Stevenson, Kaufman, Texas, 87.0 points on Harry Vold Rodeo Co.'s Sheep Tick, $3,520; 2. Dale Stoller, Great Falls , Mont. , 86.0, $2,640; 3. (tie) Josi Young, Buhl, Idaho , and Bee Jay Scott, Otley , Iowa , 84.0, $1,320 each; 5. Chris Harris, Itasca , Texas , 83.0; 6. Tim Shirley, Bailey , Colo. , 82.0; 7. (tie) Dustin Reeves, Owanka , S.D. , and Joe Gunderson, White, S.D., 79.0; 9. Matt Bright, Martin , Tenn. , 78.0.

Final round: 1. Wes Stevenson, Kaufman, Texas, 87.0 points on Flying Five Rodeo, Inc.'s Miss Ameratitle, $3,520; 2. Josi Young, Buhl, Idaho, 84.0, $2,640; 3. (tie) Dale Stoller, Great Falls , Mont. , and Bee Jay Scott, Otley, Iowa, 0.0.

Total money: 1. Bee Jay Scott, Otley , Iowa , $7,480; 2. Wes Stevenson, Kaufman , Texas , $7,334; 3. (tie) Chris Harris, Itasca , Texas , and Dale Stoller, Great Falls , Mont. , $5,720 each; 5. Josi Young, Buhl, Idaho , $3,960; 6. (tie) Bobby Mote, Culver, Ore. , and Joe Gunderson, White, S.D., $3,520 each; 8. Jason Havens, Prineville , Ore. , $2,200; 9. Tim Wilkinson, Fort Scott , Kan. , $1,320; 10. (tie) Tim Shirley, Bailey , Colo. And Heath Ford, Greeley , Colo. , $293 each.

Champion: Wes Stevenson

Steer wrestling

Second round: 1. Shane Henderson, Winfield , Kan. , 4.2 seconds, $3,613; 2. Wade Steffen, Richmond , Ill. , 4.4, $2,710; 3. Trevor Knowles , Mount Vernon , Ore. , 4.5, $1,807; 4. (tie) Dane Hanna, Littleton , Colo. , and Curt La Duke, Bozeman , Mont. , 4.6, $452 each.

Average: 1. Trevor Knowles, Mount Vernon , Ore. , 8.4 seconds on two head, $3,613; 2. Wade Steffen, Richmond , Ill. , 8.6, $2,710; 3. K.C. Jones, Decatur, Texas, 10.3, $1,807; 4. Dane Hanna, Littleton , Colo. , 11.3, $903; 5. Ethan Thouvenell, Norco , Calif. , 11.6; 6. Clay Cowan, Highmore, S.D., 13.4; 7. Shane Henderson, Winfield , Kan. , 15.3; 8. Gregory Bennett, Lake Luzerne, N.Y., 16.6.

Semifinal round: 1. Trevor Knowles, Mount Vernon, Ore., 4.5 seconds, $3,613; 2. Shane Henderson, Winfield , Kan. , 4.6, $2,710; 3. (tie) Gregory Bennett, Lake Luzerne, N.Y., and Clay Cowan, Highmore, S.D., 4.7, $1,355 each; 5. Dane Hanna, Littleton , Colo. , 4.9; 6. (tie) K.C. Jones, Decatur , Texas , and Ethan Thouvenell, Norco , Calif. , 5.1; 8. Wade Steffen, Richmond , Ill. , 14.7.

Final round: 1. Gregory Bennett, Lake Luzerne, N.Y., 4.2 seconds, $3,613; 2. Clay Cowan, Highmore, S.D., 4.3, $2,710; 3. Trevor Knowles , Mount Vernon , Ore. , 6.3, $1,807; 4. Shane Henderson, Winfield , Kan. , 13.8, $903.

Total money: 1. Trevor Knowles, Mount Vernon , Ore. , $14,453; 2. (tie) Wade Steffen, Richmond , Ill. , and Shane Henderson, Winfield , Kan. , $7,227 each; 4. Gregory Bennett, Lake Luzerne , N.Y. , $4,968; 5. K.C. Jones, Decatur , Texas , $4,517; 6. Clay Cowan, Highmore , S.D. , $4,065; 7. Dane Hanna, Littleton , Colo. , $1,355; 8. Ethan Thouvenell, Norco , Calif. , $903; 9. Curt La Duke, Bozeman , Mont. , $452.

Champion: Gregory Bennett

Team roping

Second round: 1. Waylon McCurley, Escalon , Calif. /Travis Woodard, Stockton , Calif. , 4.5 seconds, $3,515 each; 2. Tommy Edens, Gatesville, Texas/Coby Jones, Gatesville, Texas, 4.8, $2,637; 3. Justin Turner, Vinita, Okla./Shannon Frascht, Alva , Okla. , 5.1, $1,758; 4. Jeff Johnston, Stapleton , Neb. /Mark Swanson, Arthur , Neb. , 5.2, $879.

Average: 1. 1. Todd Arthur, Navasota, Texas/Patrick Smith, Midland, Texas, 12.0 seconds on two head, $3,515 each; 2. (tie) Travis Dorman, Dade City , Fla. /Len Dorman, Dade City , Fla. , and Donnie McNeece, Mclouth , Kan. / Chad Mathes, Lawson , Mo. , 12.3, $2,197 each; 4. Matt Funk, Hermiston , Ore. /Bucky Campbell, Benton City , Wash. , 15.7, $879; 5. C.J. Scheller, Ault , Colo. /Lance Allen, Burns, Wyo. , 16.1; 6. Alfred Hansen, Dickinson , N.D./Bobby Harris, Ree Heights , S.D. , 16.3; 7. (tie) Colt Braden, Dewey, Okla./Jake Long, Alva , Okla. , and Tommy Edens, Gatesville, Texas/Coby Jones, Gatesville, Texas, 17.9.

Semifinal round: 1. Tommy Edens, Gatesville, Texas/Coby Jones, Gatesville, Texas, 5.6 seconds, $3,515; 2. Colt Braden, Dewey , Okla. /Jake Long, Alva , Okla. , 7.3, $2,637; 3. Todd Arthur, Navasota, Texas/Patrick Smith, Midland, Texas, 9.1, $1,758; 4. Matt Funk, Hermiston , Ore. /Bucky Campbell, Benton City , Wash. , 10.4, $879; 5. (tie) Alfred Hansen, Dickinson , N.D./Bobby Harris, Ree Heights , S.D. , Travis Dorman, Dade City , Fla. /Len Dorman, Dade City , Fla. , C.J. Scheller, Ault, Colo./Lance Allen, Burns, Wyo. , and Donnie McNeece, Mclouth, Kan./ Chad Mathes, Lawson , Mo. , NT.

Final round: 1. Colt Braden, Dewey, Okla./Jake Long, Alva , Okla. , 5.4 seconds, $3,515 each; 2. Tommy Edens, Gatesville, Texas/Coby Jones, Gatesville, Texas, 5.5, $2,637; 3. Matt Funk, Hermiston , Ore. /Bucky Campbell, Benton City , Wash. , 18.3, $1,758; 4. Todd Arthur, Navasota, Texas/Patrick Smith, Midland, Texas, NT.

Total money: 1. Tommy Edens, Gatesville, Texas/Coby Jones, Gatesville, Texas, $8,789; 2. Matt Funk, Hermiston , Ore. /Bucky Campbell , Benton City , Wash. , $7,031; 3. Todd Arthur, Navasota , Texas /Patrick Smith, Midland , Texas , $6,591; 4. Colt Braden, Dewey , Okla. /Jake Long, Alva , Okla. , $6,152; 5. (tie) Travis Dorman, Dade City , Fla. /Len Dorman, Dade City , Fla. , and Waylon McCurley, Escalon, Calif./Travis Woodard, Stockton , Calif. , $3,515 each; 7. Jon Stafford, Nampa , Idaho /Dusty Morse, Ogden , Utah , $2,637; 8. Donnie McNeece, Mclouth , Kan. / Chad Mathes, Lawson , Mo. , $2,197; 9. Justin Turner, Vinita , Okla. /Shannon Frascht, Alva , Okla. , $1,758; 10. Jeff Johnston, Stapleton , Neb. /Mark Swanson, Arthur , Neb. , $879.

Champions: Colt Braden/Jake Long

Saddle bronc riding

Second round: 1. Tim Edge, Fulton , Miss. , 85.0 points on Harry Vold Rodeo Co.'s Elvis, $3,501; 2. Cody Wright, Milford, Utah, 84.0, $2,626; 3. Ty Atchison, Martin , Tenn. , 82.0, $1,751; 4. (tie) Jake Griffin, Daniel , Wyo. , Anthony Bello, Oakley , Utah , and Cody DeMoss, Heflin , La. , 80.0, $292 each.

Average: 1. Cody Wright, Milford , Utah , 171 points on two head, $3,501; 2. Tim Edge, Fulton , Miss. , 164, $2,626; 3. Anthony Bello, Oakley, Utah, 163, $1,751; 4. Bradley Harter, Weatherford, Texas, 162, $875; 5. Cody DeMoss, Heflin, La., 161; 6. Jake Griffin, Daniel , Wyo. , 160; 7. Ty Atchison, Martin , Tenn. , 158; 8. Ryan MacKenzie , Jordan Valley, Ore. , 157.

Semifinal round: 1. Cody Wright, Milford, Utah, 87.0 points on Harry Vold Rodeo Co.'s Jumpin Jack, $3,501; 2. Anthony Bello, Oakley, Utah, 84.0, $2,626; 3. Jake Griffin, Daniel, Wyo., 78.0, $1,751; 4. Tim Edge, Fulton , Miss. , 77.0, $875; 5. Ryan MacKenzie , Jordan Valley, Ore. , 74.0; 6. (tie) Ty Atchison, Martin , Tenn. , Bradley Harter, Weatherford , Texas , and Cody DeMoss, Heflin , La. , 0.0.

Final round: 1. Anthony Bello, Oakley, Utah, 90.0 points on Big Bend Rodeo Co.'s Kool Toddy, $3,501; 2. Cody Wright, Milford, Utah, 86.0, $2,626; 3. Tim Edge, Fulton , Miss. , 85.0, $1,751; 4. Jake Griffin, Daniel , Wyo. , 0.0.

Total money: 1. Cody Wright, Milford , Utah , $15,755; 2. Anthony Bello, Oakley , Utah , $9,482; 3. Tim Edge, Fulton , Miss. , $8,753; 4. Billie Sutton, Burke, S.D., $2,626; 5. Bradley Harter, Weatherford, Texas, $2,188; 6. Jake Griffin, Daniel , Wyo. , $2,042; 7. Ty Atchison, Martin , Tenn. , $1,751; 8. Cody DeMoss, Heflin , La. , $292.

Champion: Anthony Bello

Tie-down roping

Second round: 1. 1. J.R. Myers Jr, Felton , Pa. , 8.2 seconds, $3,480; 2. Brad Goodrich, Stanfield , Ore. , 8.3, $2,610; 3. (tie) Todd Graff, Ainsworth , Neb. , and Ryan Siemsen, Huntley , Mont. , 8.6, $1,305 each.

Average: 1. (tie) Nate Baldwin, Blackfoot, Idaho , and Jake Hannum, Ogden , Utah , 18.4, $3,045 each; 3. Cutter Parsons, Marana , Ariz. , 18.5, $1,740; 4. Justin Thigpen, Waycross , Ga. , 19.4, $870; 5. Brad Goodrich, Stanfield , Ore. , 20.4; 6. Ronnie Davis, Norman Park, Ga. , 20.8; 7. Ryan Siemsen, Huntley , Mont. , 22.3; 8. Brett Fleming, Worden , Mont. , 23.3; 9. Brandon Neugebauer, Pueblo , Colo. , 25.8.

Semifinal round: 1. Justin Thigpen, Waycross , Ga. , 8.2 seconds, $3,480; 2. Cutter Parsons, Marana , Ariz. , 8.9, $2,610; 3. Brett Fleming, Worden , Mont. , 10.6, $1,740; 4. Ryan Siemsen, Huntley , Mont. , 11.1, $870; 5. Nate Baldwin, Blackfoot, Idaho, 13.5; 6. Brad Goodrich, Stanfield , Ore. , 19.8; 7. (tie) Brandon Neugebauer, Pueblo , Colo. , and Ronnie Davis, Norman Park, Ga., NT.

Final round: 1. Cutter Parsons, Marana , Ariz. , 8.9 seconds, $3,480; 2. Ryan Siemsen, Huntley , Mont. , 9.2, $2,610; 3. Brett Fleming, Worden , Mont. , 15.7, $1,740; 4. Justin Thigpen, Waycross , Ga. , 18.1, $870.

Total money: 1. Cutter Parsons, Marana , Ariz. , $8,701; 2. Jake Hannum, Ogden , Utah , $6,526; 3. Justin Thigpen, Waycross , Ga. , $6,091; 4. Ryan Siemsen, Huntley , Mont. , $4,785; 5. Nate Baldwin, Blackfoot, Idaho, $3,915; 6. (tie) Brett Fleming, Worden , Mont. , and J.R. Myers Jr, Felton , Pa. , $3,480 each; 8. (tie) Shane Wesley, Silex, Mo. , and Brad Goodrich, Stanfield , Ore. , $2,610; 10. Todd Graff, Ainsworth , Neb. , $1,305.

Champion: Cutter Parsons

Barrel racing

Second round: 1. Terri Wood Gates, West Jordan , Utah , 15.11 seconds, $3,370; 2. Carrie Thompson, Morton , Miss. , 15.15, $2,528; 3. Jill Moody, Letcher, S.D., 15.21, $1,685; 4. (tie) Vickie Solmonsen, Riverton , Utah , and Jessica Mueller, Buffalo , S.D. , 15.26, $421 each.

Average: 1. 1. Terri Wood Gates, West Jordan, Utah, 30.23 seconds on two runs, $3,370; 2. Kay Blandford, Sutherland Springs , Texas , 30.30, $2,528; 3. Shali Lord, Lamar , Colo. , 30.39, $1,685; 4. Brenda Mays, Terrebonne , Ore. , 30.49, $843; 5. Carrie Thompson, Morton , Miss. , 30.61; 6. (tie) Lyndee Stairs, Hanford , Calif. , and Tammy Key-Fischer, Ledbetter , Texas , 30.74; 8. Jessica Mueller, Buffalo , S.D. , 30.81.

Semifinal round: 1. Terri Wood Gates, West Jordan, Utah, 15.05 seconds, $3,370; 2. Kay Blandford, Sutherland Spgs, Texas , 15.14, $2,528; 3. Tammy Key-Fischer, Ledbetter , Texas , 15.22, $1,685; 4. (tie) Shali Lord, Lamar , Colo. , and Lyndee Stairs, Hanford , Calif. , 15.25, $421 each; 6. Jessica Mueller, Buffalo , S.D. , 15.28; 7. Brenda Mays, Terrebonne , Ore. , 15.38; 8. Carrie Thompson, Morton , Miss. , 25.04.

Final round: 1. Shali Lord, Lamar , Colo. , 15.31 seconds, $3,370; 2. Tammy Key-Fischer, Ledbetter, Texas, 15.45, $2,528; 3. Terri Wood Gates, West Jordan, Utah, 20.22, $1,685; 4. Kay Blandford, Sutherland Springs, Texas, 20.39, $843.

Total money: 1. Terri Wood Gates, West Jordan , Utah , $13,480; 2. Kay Blandford, Sutherland Spgs, Texas , $9,268; 3. Shali Lord, Lamar , Colo. , $8,004; 4. Tammy Key-Fischer, Ledbetter, Texas, $4,213; 5. Carrie Thompson, Morton , Miss. , $2,528; 6. Brenda Mays, Terrebonne , Ore. , $1,685; 7. Jill Moody, Letcher, S.D., $1,685; 8. (tie) Lyndee Stairs, Hanford , Calif. , Jessica Mueller, Buffalo , S.D. , and Vickie Solmonsen, Riverton , Utah , $421 each.

Champion: Shali Lord

Bull riding

Second round: 1. Jake Moore, Kneeland, Calif., 81.0 points on Burns Rodeo Co.'s Show Stopper, $3,708; 2. (tie) Charles Zoss, Forestburg , S.D. , and Charley Barker, Terrebonne , Ore. , 80.0, $2,318; 4. Will O'Connell, Zwingle , Iowa , 60.0, $927.

Average: 1. Jake Moore, Kneeland , Calif. , 157 points on two head, $3,708; 2. Steve Woolsey, Payson, Utah, 86 on one, $2,781; 3. (tie) Charles Zoss, Forestburg , S.D. , and Charley Barker, Terrebonne , Ore. , 80, $1,391 each; 5. Cooper Kanngiesser, Zenda , Kan. , 79; 6. Jake Wade, Alamo , Nev. , 78; 7. Larry Leist, Red Hill , N.M. , 72; 8. Will O'Connell, Zwingle , Iowa , 60.

Semifinal round: 1. Steve Woolsey, Payson, Utah, 90.0 points on Russell Rodeo Co.'s Rough & Ready, $3,708; 2. Cooper Kanngiesser, Zenda , Kan. , 88.0, $3,708; 3. (tie) Will O'Connell, Zwingle , Iowa , Jake Moore, Kneeland , Calif. , Jake Wade, Alamo , Nev. , Charles Zoss, Forestburg , S.D. , Larry Leist, Red Hill , N.M. , Charley Barker, Terrebonne , Ore. , 0.0.

Final round: 1. Cooper Kanngiesser, Zenda, Kan., 89.0 points on Flying Five Rodeo, Inc.'s Four Aces, $3,708; 2. (tie) Jake Moore, Kneeland , Calif. , Steve Woolsey, Payson , Utah , Charles Zoss, Forestburg , S.D. , and Charley Barker, Terrebonne , Ore. , 0.0.

Total money: 1. (tie) Steve Woolsey, Payson , Utah , and Cooper Kanngiesser, Zenda , Kan. , $10,198 each; 3. Jake Moore, Kneeland , Calif. , $8,344; 4. (tie) Charley Barker, Terrebonne , Ore. , and Charles Zoss, Forestburg , S.D. , $3,708; 6. Jake Wade, Alamo , Nev. , $1,854; 7. Will O'Connell, Zwingle , Iowa , $927.

Champion: Cooper Kanngiesser

Team standings: 1. Wilderness, $74,574; 2. Texas , $66,049; 3. Columbia River , $44,093; 4. Prairie, $33,244; 5. Great Lakes, $26,084; 6. Southeastern, $24,402; 7. California, $20,407; 8. Badlands, $18,667; 9. Montana, $16,197; 10. Mountain States , $12,863; 11. First Frontier, $9,376; 12. Turquoise, $8,701.