Daily Archives: September 15, 2009

PUYALLUP, Wash. — In Las Vegas, drawing 21 can win you a lot of money — the ultimate lucky number in blackjack.

Team ropers Steve Purcella and Jhett Johnson may come to think of 21 as being their lucky number if they end up making it to Las Vegas for the big money offered at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

Entering the Justin Boots Playoffs, Sept. 11-13, at the Western Washington Fairgrounds in Puyallup, Purcella (header) and Johnson (heeler) were both 21st in the PRCA World Standings and scrambling to keep their postseason hopes alive.

Three days — and $14,277 — later, they were assured of a berth in the Justin Boots Championships, Sept. 24-26, in Omaha, Neb., and were a lot closer to spending December in Vegas.

“It was huge,” Johnson said after the Wyoming cowboy had won the four-team final round with 1996 World Champion Purcella and the duo jumped from 22nd in the Wrangler Million Dollar Tour Standings to eighth place for Purcella and sixth place for Johnson. They both advanced to 15th in the PRCA World Standings. (read more)

By BRETT HOFFMAN

Special to the Star-Telegram

Stran Smith is in one big clutch situation.

The defending world champion tie-down roper has had an off year, plagued with cold streaks and nagging injuries. Last weekend, he entered the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s Justin Boots Playoffs in Puyallup, Wash., ranked 45th in the world standings with almost $27,000 in regular-season earnings.

Smith entered the rodeo knowing that he must earn an estimated $35,000 to $40,000 over the next month to qualify for the December Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

Well, Smith made a huge stride in his attempt to earn a berth to the 2009 Las Vegas championships by winning the tie-down roping title at the Puyallup rodeo. The Childress cowboy pocketed $17,038.

“That’s what you go for, you go to win,” Smith said. “For me, I have no other option. I have to win. Really, I feel like instead of me being at a disadvantage, I’m sort of at an advantage. I have everything to gain and really nothing to lose.”

When the title was at stake in the final round, Smith turned a blistering time of 7.0 seconds to clinch the title. (read more)