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Myers makes run at NFR berth

Cash Myers knew what he had to do when he arrived at the Amarillo National Center on Sunday to compete in the Heartland ProRodeo Series Steer Roping Finals.

The veteran from Athens was ranked 17th in the Cowboys Association's steer roping world standings.

But in order to advance to next month's National Finals Steer Roping Finals in Hobbs, N.M., Myers had to earn enough prize money in roping to catapult into the top 15.

Myers entered the show almost $2,000 behind 15th ranked Buster Record in the world standings.

With an National Finals Rodeo berth at stake, Myers earned $6,613 after placing in three rounds and winning the average, meaning that he turned in the fastest aggregate time on four runs. Meanwhile, Record, a former world champion from Buffalo, Okla., earned a meager $552 in the second round.

When the PRCA releases it's official standings, officials said they expect to see Myers ranked in the top 15 and headed to the Nov. 14-15 Hobbs championships. Record is expected to finish 16th, one place away from qualifying for the National Finals.

"When you (are the clutch) there's not a of thinking involved," Myers said. "You just have to go execute."

In other action, Leo Campbell came in with an excellent chance to gain a NFR steer roping berth. The Amarillo roper was 16th in the world standings with $19,598, $1,064 away from 15th place. But Campbell fell short in his attempt to qualify for the National Finals after failing to finish in the money in the first round (16.1), the second round (13.4) or the third round (no time).

Shandon Stalls of McLean entered the show ranked 24th in the world title race with an outside chance of qualifying for nationals. Stalls, with $16,109, was $4,500 away from 15th place. But Stalls' attempted rally fell short when he received a no time in the first and second rounds, and then posted a sluggish 21.5 in the third round.

During the third round, Tim Abbott of Midland sustained a leg injury while competing in the third round. He was transported to a local hospital.

Myers won the average after finishing with a four-run time of 46.8 seconds, and Chris Glover of Keenesburg, Colo., came in second with a 53.2. Third was Mike Chase of McAlester, Okla., with 54.7.

But it was Myers who stole the show by not waning throughout the afternoon. He won the first round with a 9.6, the fastest time of the day.

"A good start always helps the rest of the day, but it doesn't mean that you will have a good whole rodeo, so you have to take it piece by piece," Myers said.

Myers did just that by following up with a smooth run of 10.6 in the second round, which was good enough for second place. Myers continued in the third round by turning in a solid time of 12.5.

After all that, Myers entered the final round with a commanding lead in the average with a three-run time of 32.7, 5.8 seconds ahead of second-place Rocky Patterson.

When the title was at stake in the final, Myers remained in control by turning in a 14.1, the fourth fastest time in the 15-man short round.

Heartland ProRodeo Series Steer Roping Finals

(at Amarillo National Center)

Sunday's results

First round: Cash Myers, Athens, Texas, 9,6, $1,682; 2, Will Gasperson, Decatur, Texas, 10.3, $1,392; 3, J.P. Wickett, Sallisaw, Okla., 10.4, $1,102; 4, Chris Glover, Keenesburg, Colo, 10.9, $812; 5, Guy Allen, Santa Anna, Texas, 11.1, $522; 6, Dan Fisher, Andrews, Texas, 11.5, $290.

Second round: 1, Walter Priestly, Robstown, Texas, 10.2, $1,682; 2, Cash Myers, Athens, Texas, 10.6, $1,392; 3, Marty Jones, Hobbs, N.M., 11.1, $1,102; 4, Mike Chase, McAlester, Okla., 11.2, $812; 5, Buster Record, Buffalo, Okla. 11.4, $552; 6, Guy Allen, Santa Anna, Texas, 12.7, $290.

Third round: 1, Scott Snedecor, Uvalde, Texas, 10.1, $1,682; 2, Shane Suggs, Granbury, Texas, 10.3, $1,392; Chet Herren, Pawhuska, Okla., 10.5, $1,102; 4, Rod Hartness, Pawhauska, Okla., 10.9, $812; 5, Mike Chase, McAlester, Okla., 11.9, $552; 6, J.B. Whatley, Gardendale, Texas, 11.1, $290.

Final round: 1, J.B. Whatley, Gardendale, Texas, 11.1, $700; 2, Mike Chase, McAlester, Okla., 12.9, $525; 3, Chris Glover, Keenesburg, Colo., 13.6, $350; 4, Cash Myers, Athens, Texas, 14.1, $175.

Average: 1, Cash Myers, Athens, Texas, 46.8, $3,364; 2, Chris Glover, Kennesburg, Colo., 53.2, $2,784; 3, Mike Chase, McAlester, Okla., 54.7, $2,204; 4, J.B. Whatley, Gardendale, Texas, 54.8, $1,624; 5, Tony Reina, Wharton, Texas, 59.6, $1,044; 6, Rocky Patterson, Pratt, Kan., 61.9, $580.

Read more at the www.amarillo.com