McClure has big win in bull riding

Conner McClure made some noise that may resonate all the way from Cheney back to the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association California Circuit.

The bull rider from Grass Valley, Calif. was No. 23 in the most recent available standings with just $901 in winnings, but his 85.5-point ride Friday on the opening night of the 51st annual Cheney Rodeo held up for McClure to earn $2,541 on Maze Runner.

Chase Dougherty from Canby, Ore scored 81-points holding onto Big Dog and won $1,992. Roger Piva from Challis, Idaho was third (80.5 points) and pocketed $1,522 of the $61,629 event purse.

Friday's 82-point ride held up for Jesse Krause of Great Falls, Mont. to win saddle bronc onboard Northern Lights and collect $2,290 for the Montana Circuit leader. His effort was 1/2 point better than Joe Harper of Paradise, Nev. who stayed on Rusty Spur and won $1,756. Tyrell Smith Jr. of Sand Coulee, Mont. was right behind in third with 79 points and won $1,298. The event drew 46 entries of which only nine scored points.

Blackfoot, Idaho's Clay Stone rode to an 80-point victory Saturday on Goodtimes to win $1,929 and the bareback title in another tight competition. He edged out Luke Creasy of Hobbs, N.M. (78.5/$1,479) and Kevin Lusk from Buckley, Wash. (78/$1,093).

Dalton Massey of Hermiston, Ore. made his blistering Friday time of just 3.8 seconds stay good throughout the weekend for a $1,967 payday in steer wrestling and finishing just ahead of Colin Wolfe from Wenatchee (3.9/$1,711) and Riley Jones out of Walla Walla (4.0/$1,454).

Sunday winners were rare with just two, and one of those came in team roping where Kennewick's Bo Sickler and Ellensburg's Jasper Olinger each went home with $2,011 after wrapping up their round in just 5.3 seconds.

Tyler Smith from Middleton, Idaho and Hermiston's Andy Carlson were runners-up in a time of 5.7 seconds, each earning $1,665.

Roger Nonella won the tie-down roping title Saturday night turning a 9.4 second time into a $1,643 payday for the Redmond, Ore. cowboy. Nonella also earned the all-around title with winnings in team-roping. Shane Erickson (10.2/$1,429) was second out of Terrebone, Ore. and Casey Hale (10.4/$1,214) from Tenino, Wash. third.

Cheyenne Allan of Mabton, Wash. collected the barrel racing championship and $1,733 with her time of 17.43 and was the other Sunday winner. Shelby Lyn Gill (17.54/$1,486) was second while Rene Cloninger from Helena, Mont. and Sharon Hannah from Helena, Mont. shared third place with each having an $1,155 payday to lead the 52-entry competition.

Paul Delaney can be reached at [email protected].