Cowan All-Around winner at Cherokee PRCA Rodeo

Clay Cowan

Steer Wrestling champion Clay Cowan of Highmore, S.D. claimed $1,515.25 and was declared the All-Around winner at the 43rd annual Cherokee Chamber of Commerce PRCA Rodeo , which concluded its three-day run at the Cherokee County Fairgrounds on Saturday night.

Cowan wrestled his steer to the ground in a speedy 5.4 seconds to win the event and earn a nice chunk of the record Cherokee Rodeo purse, which exceeded $44,000 this year.

Other money winners in the Steer Wrestling included Brandon D. Volker of Auburn, Neb., 6.1 seconds, $1,254; Ty Talsma of Verdigre, Neb., 6.4, $862.12; Pete Owenby of Pleasanton, Kan., 6.4, $862.12; J.B. Lord of Piedmont, S.D., 6.6, $470.25; and Nick Guy of Rapid City, S.D., 7.3, $261.25.

D.V. Fennell of Neosha, Mo. won the Bareback Riding with a score of 80 points to win $1,175.62; followed by Jared Keylon of Fort Scott, Kan., 79, $765.93; Corey Evans of Hyannis, Neb., 79, $765.93; James Carter of Ellsnore, Mo., 78, $427.50; Matt Bright of Azle, Texas, 77, $249.37; Ty Breuer of Mandan, N.D., 76, $89.06; and Joe Gunderson of Agar, S.D., $89.06.

Ty Kennedy of Philip, S.D., won the Saddle Bronc Riding with 85 points to claim $1,363.72; followed by Jeremy Meeks of Belle Fourche, S.D., 82 points, $1,033.12; Wade Yost of Ree Heights, S.D., 79, $619.87; Cole Elshere of Faith, S.D., 79, $619.87; Chuck Schmidt of Keldron, S.D., 76, $247.94; and Brandon West of Philip, S.D., 76, $247.94.

Andy Smith of Hartington, Neb., and Ross Monroe Burney of Coffeeville, Miss., shared the Bull Riding championship each scoring 82 points and claiming $1,281.07; followed by B.J. Schumacher of Hillsboro, Wisc., 80 points, $795.15; Cody Gardner of La Salle, Colo., 79, $530.10; Josh Mulholland of Richland Center, Wisc., 78, $176.70; Jesse Pohlmann of Fort Scott, Kan., 78, $176.70; and Jeep Steenhoek of Keokuk, Ia., 78, $176.70.

Skyler Moore of Mt. Vernon, Mo., won the Tie Down Roping in 9 seconds to claim $1,618.56; followed by Scotty Shelton of Buffalo, Mo., 9.5 seconds, $1,339.50; Travis Durfey of Amity, Mo., 10, $1,060.44; Josh Foutch of Eldora, Ia., 10.6, $641.84; Matt Charles Kenney of Onawa, Ia., 10.6, $641.84; and Cole Wilson of Kincaid, Kan., 10.7, $279.06.

Jason Thorstenson of Hermosa, S.D., and Paul David Tierney of Oral, S.D., won the Team Roping in 6.2 seconds to claim $1,349.95 each; followed by Chris Camerer of Granby, Mo., and J.L. Johnson of Crane, Mo., 6.4 seconds, $1,000.83 each; Aaron Chamley of Van Wert, Ia., and David Cannon of Eagleville, Mo., 6.4, $1000.83 each; Cody Neisius of Maple Lake, Minn., and Matt Zancanella of Aurora, S.D., 6.7, $651.70 each; Brad Stephens of Pacific Junction, Ia., and Ryan Pratt of Lamoni, Ia., 6.8, $418.95 each; and Brett Price of Faith, S.D., and Paul Griemsman of Piedmont, S.D., 7.0, $232.75 each.

Britany Fleck of Mandan, N.D. won the Barrell Racing in 15.48 seconds to claim $1,510.21; followed by Sue Berg of Bloomington, Minn., 15.56 seconds, $1,294.47; Sherry Cervi of Marana, Ariz., 15.57, $1,078.72; Tammy Whyte of Eau Claire, Wisc., 15.63, $934.89; Sabrina Miller of Springville, Ia., 15.71, $719.15; Brenda Rechtenbaugh of Colton, S.D., 15.73, $575.32; June Holeman of Arcadia, Neb., 15.77, $431.49; RoxAnn Moeller of Boone, Ia., 15.78, $251.70; Sandi Brandi of Mauston, Wisc., 15.78, $251.70; and Brandi Whyte of Eay Claire, Wisc., 15.79, $143.83.

A record number of world-class contestants entered this year to compete for a record-high purse of $44,080 at the Cherokee PRCA Rodeo Thursday through Saturday at the Cherokee County Fairgrounds.

Sponsored by the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce and produced by the Barnes/MJM PRCA Rodeos of Peterson and Cherokee, the popular Cherokee event annually attracts the world's finest cowboys and cowgirls, with 2009 now a record-setting, banner year for purse and contestants.

More than 6,000 rodeo fans attended the 2009 Cherokee PRCA Rodeo, not counting the hundreds of children admitted free on Thursday's opening night.