Brazile secures world crown

The determined look in Trevor Brazile's eyes two years ago was not one that other all-around championship contenders wanted to see.

He watched as Ryan Jarrett celebrated as the most versatile cowboy in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.

Jarrett, a Georgia steer wrestler and calf roper, stopped Brazile's three-year run of leaving the National Finals Rodeo with the ultimate prize: the all-around cowboy world championship.

Brazile vowed that night at the Thomas & Mack Center never to take any part of rodeo for granted.

He continued to keep his word Thursday by clinching his second straight and fifth overall all-around world title in the NFR's eighth go-round before a crowd of 17,411.

"Number five is awesome," Brazile said. "It's that much better because it's one less thing to worry about and think about the next two days."

Brazile's tasks are not complete, and it's been a long checklist.

Over the past two months, he and wife Shada had their first child, and Brazile, 34, won his second straight championship in PRCA steer roping, which is not contested at the NFR.

He's now focused on winning a world championship in calf roping, which would be his first.

Brazile has a $19,600 lead over Houston Hutto, 26, of Del Rio, Texas. Those two also are the top two in NFR event aggregate standings.

"I'd love to win a world championship in each event I compete in," Brazile said of steer, calf and team roping.

"But it only has 'cowboy' on one world championship buckle, and those mean the most to me."

With two go-rounds left, Brazile has won $381,221 and leads Josh Peek by $179,025.

Had Peek won both of his events Thursday, Brazile still would have earned the title with his performances in calf roping, where he placed second to Peek, and in team roping, where he placed fifth with heeler Patrick Smith.

Brazile's earnings this year have pushed his career total to $2.56 million. Since the 10-day rodeo began Dec. 6, he has moved from seventh to third in all-time money won. He likely will pass Fred Whitfield for the spot behind leader Joe Beaver, who won $2.8 million.

"All that practice hasn't been in vain," Brazile said.

Roper Stran Smith, who finished second to Brazile for the 2004 all-around title, said no one practices more than Brazile.

"It's his work ethic," Smith said. "It's second to none. He's so driven and that's what separates him from the rest of us in the all-around. Nobody's paying the price like he is."

Beaver, a former all-around and calf roping world champ, said Brazile is roping equally well in his each of his events.

"He can do anything with a rope," said Beaver, who missed the NFR after having hip surgery this year.

"He's had a rope in his hand since he was a little boy. It's like Tiger Woods growing up with a golf club."

For the ninth consecutive year, a timed-event roper has claimed the title of being the world's best cowboy. The last roughstock rider to win it was Ty Murray in 1998, and ropers have won it 11 of the past 13 years.

Peek, a 28-year-old from Pueblo, Colo., showed his poise by winning his second go-round of his first NFR after knowing the all-around was Brazile's.

Peek has won $56,983 over the past eight nights.

"I came here without a doubt that I could catch Trevor. I would never give up," Peek said. "I'm as happy as any cowboy could be. If I came here and didn't leave with a dime I'd be just as happy because I made it to my first NFR."

Contact reporter Jeff Wolf at jwolf@reviewjournal.com or (702) 383-0247.