Alumni Keep Pace in Top Gun Standings

Las Vegas — Over the course of the ten-day Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (WNFR), there is an extra award waiting for the cowboy or cowgirl that wins the most prize money. The RAM Truck Top Gun Award recipient will receive a one-of-a-kind wrapped RAM truck along with other prizes after the final round.

Leading the Top Gun standings is Amberleigh Moore with $77,692.31, but two Panhandle State Alumni are hot on her heels. With $62,461.54 won over the first three rounds, Cort Scheer is third in the standings. Also breaking the top five is Joe Frost. The Utah cowboy has accumulated $58,653.85 so far.

To get to this point, these cowboys have won, won and won some more. Scheer repeated his first round performance by claiming the top spot of round two of the saddle bronc riding with a 92-point ride on “Larry Culpepper” of HiLo ProRodeo. The Nebraskan not only captured his second go-round buckle, he also broke the arena record for the highest-marked ride of round two. The record was previously held by Dan Mortensen with a 90-point ride in 2003.

Although Scheer’s round-winning domination came to an end on Saturday night, he strengthened his lead in the average with an 85.50-point ride. His three-day total is 264 points on three head.

Clay Elliott also sits solid in the average in the saddle bronc riding. He is currently sixth with 249.50 points on three head. Tonight, Elliott will face “Cowboy Casino” of D&H Cattle. Taos Muncy will try to get his WNFR kicked off tonight aboard “Tickled Pink” from J Bar J.

Panhandle State has also found its way to the top of the aggregate standings in the bull riding. Joe Frost has been his normal picture of consistency as he is the only cowboy to cover all three bulls. He captured the second round championship with a 90-point ride on “Misfire” of Power River Rodeo, which he was matched with after being offered a re-ride. Frost has climbed to third in the ProRodeo World Standings.

In the bareback riding, Orin Larsen got a piece of purse last night with an 87-point ride on “Trail Dust” of Calgary Stampede. Larsen placed second in the round, earning $20,730.77. In total, former Aggies have accumulated $147,346.16 over three days of rodeo action.