SPRINGDALE -- The Oklahoma duo of Cody Heflin and Thompson Berryhill were the best of the team ropers Friday night at the 73rd annual Rodeo of the Ozarks at Parsons Stadium.
The tandem had the lone clean run of the night with a time of 8.0 seconds. That time added to their Thursday night time of 7.1 gives them the overall lead.
73rd Rodeo of the Ozarks
At Parsons Stadium, Springdale
Friday’s Results
Name^Score
Bareback riding
1, Bill Tutor^85.5.
2, Evan Jayne^83.5.
3, Tilden Hooper^82.5.
Steer wresting
1, Trey Austin III^5.2.
2, Hunter Washburn^5.4.
3, Rowdy Parrot^5.5
4, Joey Bell Jr.^6.9.
5, Timmy Sparing^13.5.
Team roping
1, Thompson Berryhill/Cody Heflin^8.0.
2, Will Clark/Tanner Ward^11.3.
3 Jack Hewett/Tyler Young^11.6.
4, Dalton Turner/Hadley Deshazo^14.8.
Saddle Bronc riding
1, Curtis Garton^88.5.
2, Justin Caylor^75.5.
Tie-down roping
1, Ace Slone^8.7.
2, Shane Hanchey^9.5.
3, Bart Brunson^11.7.
4, Hadley DeShazo^22.9.
Barrel racing
1, Kassi Mowry^17.33.
2, Danyelle Campbell^17.46.
3, Jennifer Arnold^17.93.
4, Brooke Jeter^18.02.
5, Ashley Montgomery^18.21.
6, Payton Wallace^18.48.
7, Lindsey Hall^18.51.
8, Kimberleigh Waters^19.08.
9, Kristin Shppa^27.77.
Bull riding
1, Tre Benton III^80.5.
It's the first year Heflin and Berryhill have roped together full-time, but Berryhill, who at 24 is 10 years younger than Heflin, believes they have fit together well.
"He's kinda brought me out of retirement," Heflin said. He's one of the new up and coming guys that ropes really good. I wasn't going to go that much this year, but Thompson asked me to rope. I couldn't turn down a good run like that."
Their biggest clash is what rodeos to attend. The older Heflin likes to stay closer to Pryor, Okla.., farm to spend time with his wife, Lucy, and two children, Hazy and Maxen. But Berryhill admitted he has no such limitations.
"His limit is the Canadian border," Heflin joked.
They might not keep up as hectic a schedule as some cowboys, but they were on the go Friday.
They were packing up following their ride to compete in Westville, Okla., later Friday night.
"We'll run in the slack, about 11, then we'll run in a rodeo in Okmulgee this weekend," Berryhill said.
They live about half an hour apart in northern Oklahoma and have known each other for several years thanks to proximity. But Berryhill said again they have formed a great relationship.
"When you live where we live, everbody knows everybody," Heflin said.
"There was no questioning if I was gonna like this guy or anything," Berryhill added. "If you're roping, you're gonna see some weird suckers, some good suckers and all in between. You're in a tight box for about 10 hours at a time and you get to know the ins and outs."
While Heflin spends time with his family, most of Berryhill's time is spend roping.
The 24-year-old from Talala, Okla., participated in rodeo at Oklahoma State and was a two-time finalist in college. He's hoping to learn and continue his successful run.
"It's been a good little deal and I've really enjoyed myself," Berryhill said. "I hope I can springboard this and keep winning."
Only two saddle bronc riders posted scores Friday, but Curtis Garton of New Zealand's 88.5 took the overall lead with an 88.5.
The competition concludes tonight, 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 06/24/2017