National Finals Rodeo: Lehi's Lewis triumphs in steer wrestling

Las Vegas • Tom Lewis' dream come true got even better Friday night.

After qualifying for the first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo of his career, Lewis won the steer wrestling in Round 9 at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Lewis, who is from Lehi, finished with a spectacular time of 3.5 seconds and earned $18,257.

"The first night, just throwing a steer down in Las Vegas is living a dream," he said. "To be here now — after winning — has been a goal since I was a kid."

Lewis has finished among the top six in four rounds and bumped his season money total to $81,682.

"Rodeo is not an individual sport," Lewis said. "My family has sacrificed. My wife. I have kids at home. ... You have traveling partners. It takes so many people to get here, and they've all sacrificed. So it means a lot."

Meanwhile, two Utah cowboys moved within one round of winning world championships.

In bareback, neither Caleb Bennet of Morgan nor Kaycee Feild of Payson finished in the money. Bennett posted a score of 79.5 and Feild scored a 76.5, although he remained on track for his second straight world title.

Feild leads Will Lowe of Canyon, Texas, by almost $40,000. He also continues to lead Lowe in the average.

The bottom line?

If Feild completes his eight-second ride in the 10th round Saturday night, he probably can't be caught.

In saddle bronc, Milford's Cody Wright finished second with a 78 and earned $14,429.

His brother, Jesse Wright, did not place after posting a score of 75.5. But he still leads Wade Sundell of Boxholm, Iowa, by more than $45,000 in the world standings.

In other events, Spanish Fork's Clint Robinson tied for first in tie-down roping with a time of 6.9 seconds, Hooper's Kelli Tolbert did not place in barrel racing, and Tag Elliott of Thatcher failed to score in bull riding. —

National Finals Rodeo highlights

R Lehi's Tom Lewis wins the steer wrestling in Round 9 of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo with a time of 3.5 seconds.

• Payson's Kaycee Feild and Milford's Jesse Wright continue to lead the world championship race in bareback and saddle bronc, respectively.

• Spanish Fork's Clint Robinson ties for first place in the tie-down roping and keeps his slim world title hopes alive. —

Finale

P The last day of NFR is Saturday at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas