First-time winners ruled the show at the 89th Reno (Nev.) Rodeo.
Timed-event cowboy Josh Peek claimed honors in both the all-around and in tie-down roping in Reno. Peek, of Pueblo, Colo., who won the $50,000 Shootout Round at RodeoHouston earlier this year, used his $11,758 in earnings in tie-down roping and steer wrestling to climb to within $10,220 of reigning and five-time World Champion All-Around Cowboy Trevor Brazile.
Peek roped and tied three calves in 27.5 seconds, good for $11,057.
Reigning and two-time World Champion Bareback Rider Bobby Mote claimed Reno’s three-head average title. Mote, of Culver, Ore., scored 255 points and earned $11,364.
Like Peek, steer wrestler Wade Sumpter claimed top honors at RodeoHouston by winning the lucrative Shootout Round. Sumpter, of Fowler, Colo., added to his 2008 achievements by winning the three-head average title in Reno. He recorded a total time of 12.8 seconds, good for $10,966.
The team roping tandem of Wrangler NFR qualifier Nick Sartain and ProRodeo rookie Rhen Richard captured the title in Reno. Sartain, of Pilot Point, Texas, who was the 2000 PRCA Team Roping (Heading) Rookie of the Year, and Richard, of Roosevelt, Utah, the 2007 national high school tie-down roping champion, earned $10,909 apiece after roping three steers in 17.6 seconds.
Six-time Wrangler NFR bull riding qualifier Fred Boettcher claimed his event title in Reno after riding two bulls for 176 points. Boettcher, of Rice Lake, Wis., was the rodeo’s high-money winner with $13,984.
Monetarily, saddle bronc rider Jesse Kruse earned the least of all the average winners in Reno. But with an arena-record 91-point ride fueling the three-head average title, no one will hear Kruse, of Great Falls, Mont., complain after earning $9,983 and vaulting into the Top 15 at No. 12.
Reno Rodeo Champions
All-Around Cowboy
Josh Peek (Pueblo, Colo.), $11,758 in tie-down and steer wrestling
Bareback Riding
Bobby Mote (Culver, Ore.), 255/3, $11,364
Steer Wrestling
Wade Sumpter (Fowler, Colo.), 12.8/3, $10,966
Team Roping
Nick Sartain (Pilot Point, Texas)/Rhen Richard (Roosevelt, Utah), 17.6/3, $10,909 each
Saddle Bronc Riding
Jesse Kruse (Great Falls, Mont.), 260/3, $9,983
Tie-Down Roping
Josh Peek (Pueblo, Colo.), 27.5/3, $11,057
Barrel Racing
Mary Burger (Pauls Valley, Okla.), 51.11/3, $10,776
Bull Riding
Fred Boettcher (Rice Lake, Wis.), 176/2, $13,984
