Tuf Cooper won the coveted match calf roping tournament at the Windy Ryon Memorial Roping.
But completing the required 10 runs at the popular Fort Worth show turned out to be a challenge for the 2008 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier.
During his first match, Cooper dodged what could have been a serious injury. After his horse bolted from the box, the small rope that pops away from the calf’s neck and trips the barrier wrapped around the left stirrup of the saddle and jerked off the stirrup.
The rope also momentarily attached to the bottom of Cooper’s leg, but he somehow escaped taking a really hard jerk that could have caused a crippling injury. Cooper at first limped in the arena but soon regained strength and went on and won two matches.
“I had my guardian angels over me, and the Lord blessed me,” said Cooper, 19, who last year qualified for his first National Finals.
Cooper won his first match against former National Finals qualifier Jeff Chapman, 40.03 to 41.99, after each roper completed four runs. During his final-round match, Cooper edged defending Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world all-around champion Trevor Brazile 117.91-167.36, after each cowboy made six runs.
Cooper earned $5,000 for winning the final match on May 23. Brazile pocketed $2,000 for second.
Though the earnings do not count in the PRCA world standings, the money certainly will help the two cowboys pay entry fees and road costs.
Cooper is on pace to return to the National Finals. In the PRCA June 1 world standings, he ranks fourth in tie-down roping with $39,749.
Cooper, who lives in Decatur, is the youngest son of the 1980s legendary roper Roy Cooper. He’s also a grandson of early 1960s NFR calf roping qualifier Clifton Smith of Childress and a grandson of longtime roper Tuffy Cooper who lives in the Hobbs, N.M. area.
Beaver in the money — Three-time world all-round champion Joe Beaver of Huntsville earned $2,040 after finishing third in team roping heading last weekend in Fort Smith, Ark., at the traditional Old Fort Days Rodeo. Beaver, who also competed in the tie-down roping, received the rodeo’s all-around award.
Mesquite rodeo returns — The weekly Mesquite Championship Rodeo reopens this weekend under a new ownership group after being closed during the past month for arena renovations. The rodeo will be sanctioned by the PRCA and the stock will be provided by Stace Smith of Athens, who also is part owner of the rodeo. Camelot Sports, the new ownership group, has made significant improvements such as installing two color jumbo video boards. For more information, visit www.mesquiterodeo.com.
Brazile on the move — Trevor Brazile of Decatur won all three events at last weekend’s PRCA show in Silver City, N.M. Brazile’s wins in team roping, tie-down roping and steer roping paid $7,310, enough to help him regain the lead in the all-around standings. Brazile has all-around earnings of $77,873, $905 ahead of second ranked Curtis Cassidy. Brazile also leads the steer roping world title race.
A freak accident — Professional Bull Riders star McKennon Wimberly could be sidelined for several months from the Built Ford Tough Series after hooking a spur on a step last month in Des Moines, Iowa. The accident happened when Wimberly jumped out of the way of stock contractor Chad Berger. Wimberly, 20, who lives in Cool, underwent surgery to insert a rod in his lower left leg. He’s the son of late 1980s National Finals qualifier Joe Wimberly.
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Cooper avoids injury to win roping event
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The thrill of victory ... the agony of defeat
The Bearkats knew exactly what they needed to get done and they were up to the task.
In order to reach championship day of the Southland Conference Baseball Tournament, the Kats would have to stave off elimination twice just to get to today’s final round.
The Bearkats nearly pulled it off. - Kats beat Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 4-3
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Alive and kicking: Bearkats still in hunt at SLC baseball tourney
With the possibility of going home early from the Southland Conference Tournament and a chance of their season coming to an abrupt end, the Bearkats needed some quality starting pitching and production from their bats in the worst way.
Like he has done all year long, Sam Houston senior Justin Jackson delivered a lights-out performance on the mound and the offense made the kind of impact the Bearkats have been looking for Thursday morning.
Both elements came together at the exact right time as the Kats stayed alive in the tourney with a 7-1 victory over McNeese State in an elimination game at Bobcat Ballpark. -
Bad day for Bearkats
The Bearkats’ road to the NCAA tournament just got a little bit tougher.
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi broke out for four runs before top-seeded Sam Houston even stepped to the plate Wednesday afternoon, but the Kats couldn’t find a way to counter that first punch.
Sam Houston connected for eight hits, but could not get enough of those in a row to make a dent in the deficit and are now one loss away from being eliminated from the Southland Conference tournament following a 9-2 loss at the hands of the eighth-seeded Islanders on Wednesday afternoon at the Bobcat Baseball Ballpark. -
Schallenberg: Time is now for Bearkats in Southland tourney
The Bearkats look to take care of business this week in the Southland Conference baseball tournament.
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Alpha Omega Academy trio shine at state track meet
Freshman brings home four medals, including two golds
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Tough night for Kats against Rice
The Bearkats had a golden opportunity to make a lasting impression for a potential at-large bid in the NCAA tournament with fifth-ranked Rice coming to town. Sam Houston’s bats couldn’t get going early enough or be able to link enough hits together against the Owls pitching staff and succumbed to a 5-0 loss in the final game of the season at Don Sanders Stadium on Tuesday night.
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BEARKAT BASEBALL — Plenty up for grabs against fifth-ranked Rice
For several reasons, today’s game against fifth-ranked Rice is going to be a biggie for the Bearkats.
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SHSU MEN'S BASKETBALL — Kats sign ‘winner’ from Trinity Valley
Will Bond, a 6-3 guard from Trinity Valley Community College, has signed a letter-of-intent to attend Sam Houston State University and play men’s basketball for head coach Jason Hooten.
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