SPRINGDALE -- College teammates from Oklahoma are atop the leaderboard in steer wrestling at the Rodeo of the Ozarks.
Joby Allen completed a takedown in 3.8 seconds while Jacob Edler followed in second place with a 4.5-second showing. Their back-to-back performances were two of Wednesday's highlights during the opening night of the 73rd annual Rodeo of the Ozarks at Parsons Stadium.
AT A GLANCE
Rodeo of the Ozarks
WHEN: Today through Saturday
WHERE: Parsons Stadium, Springdale
ADMISSION: $15 to $25 for adults and $7 to $15 for children depending on days and sections. Children’s tickets will be $7 on Wednesday and Thursday.
INFO: http://rodeooftheoz…">http://rodeooftheoz… or call (877) 92-RODEO
73rd Rodeo of the Ozarks
Parsons Stadium, Springdale
The rodeo continues today and ends Saturday. Gates open at 6 p.m. each day, and the action begins at 7:30 p.m. with competition in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping and bull riding.
The action got off to a rousing start when Tim O'Connell scored 89.5 points in bareback riding. O'Connell, who is ranked No. 1, needed a sterling ride to hold off Clayton Biglow, who scored 85 points.
The competition then turned to steer wrestling, in which Edler and Allen are competing after meeting three years ago at Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, Okla, where they are members of the rodeo team.
"When you're a bulldogger from Northwestern State Oklahoma, that's a pretty strong bond," said Edler, who is from Iowa.
Edler was in North Platte, Neb., last week, while Allen, 22, was at the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyo., where he finished fourth in steer wrestling. The two were reunited in Springdale before heading out again for an 11-hour drive to Sante Fe, N.M., for another rodeo.
Both men said having the support of a teammate is advantageous for their nomadic lifestyle as rodeo cowboys.
"I support everything he does and I want us both to do good," said Allen, who was born and raised in Alva, a city of about 5,000.
Like many on the rodeo circuit, the college teammates have had their share of injuries. Allen said he almost tore his hamstring in half while Edler broke his leg last year while competing in Fort Smith. But neither one is ready to give up the sport, especially after successful performances like they had on Wednesday.
"As long as my body will let me, I hope I've got 10 to 15 years left in the tank," Edler said.
The competition concludes Saturday night, when 2017 Miss Rodeo of the Ozarks is crowned and the four-day event ends with a fireworks display. The ticket office is open each day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. near the intersection of Emma Avenue and Arkansas 265 in Springdale
Sports on 06/22/2017