Sikeston native Zac Stinnett's bull fighting win highlights Thursday's action

sports@standard-democrat.com

SIKESTON -- Not too many people get the opportunity Sikeston native Zac Stinnett had Thursday night at the 63rd annual Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo.

As one of six contestants in this year's only night of bull fighting, Stinnett had the chance to compete in front of friends and family in the main event of his hometown's biggest event of the year.

Stinnett didn't disappoint, coming away with the top prize to close out the night's action as the crowd sent him off the arena floor to a round of cheers.

"I've been dreaming about coming here ever since I started fighting bulls," Stinnett said of the win. "To be here and win it it unbelievable. Just a dream come true."

Zac Stinnett dodges an incoming bull during the final round of the bull fighting competition Thursday night at the Sikeston jaycee Bootheel Rodeo. (Brent Shipman photo)

Zac Stinnett dodges an incoming bull during the final round of the bull fighting competition Thursday night at the Sikeston jaycee Bootheel Rodeo. (Brent Shipman photo)

Bull fighting consists on three one-on-one timed rounds where the competitor with the top score advances to the finals immediately after.

All the finalists get another timed round with a bull and the fighter with the highest score leaves as champion.

Though a scare early in his first round left Stinnett briefly pinned by the bull, he escaped injury to earn an 84 and a trip to the finals.

"I was a little disappointed," Stinnett said of his first round. "He got me strung out there a little bit, but I was just happy to come back out. I had to tough it out. He got under my vest and hooked me pretty good.

"I just had to bear down and focus on what God gave me and use it to the fullest."

Stinnett came back in the finals and once again put one a show, getting thrown close to seven feet in the air at one point but getting up to finish the fight.

His areal theatrics and willingness to continue to challenge the bull helped him best his first round with a score of 85 and leave the night's final competitor with a tough act to follow.

"He kind of hooked me to a little bit," Stinnett said of his second round with the bull. "I was just kind of hanging out there in front of his head too much."

Stinnett's 85 was the mark to beat when Beau Scheuth entered the arena as the final contestant. Scheuth's run was scored a 75, but shortly after Stinnett was declared the winner it was announced Scheuth would get a re-ride.

Scheuth accepted, but his second run still couldn't top Stinnett as he came out to one of the night's louder ovations.

In other action, Michael Riggs, Jr. was the lone bull rider was to complete his ride, earning an 82 on "Up N At Em".

Tracy Nowlin won the barrel racing competition by over half a second with a run of 16.18 seconds. Shelley Ward took second place with a time of 16.92 seconds.

In team toping, Clay Smith and Paul Eaves 4.6 second run was the best of the night while Nathan McWhorton and Wesley Thorp finished in 4.9 seconds to earn second place.

Besting all comers by a full second, Clay Brown won the tie down roping event with a time of 8.1 seconds. Payden Emmett's 9.2 second run was the closest anyone came to Brown.

Dalton Davis won saddle bronc riding with a score of 80 on "Little Eva" while Sam Spreadborough was close behind with a 78 on "Cage Fighter".

In steer wrestling, Noah Lassa's run of 5.9 seconds was over six seconds better than the nearest competitor.

Casey Breuer took top honors in bareback riding with an 80 on "Scarlett Fever".

The night's full results are as follows:

Bareback Riding

1. Casey Breuer, 80

2. Kaycee Feild, 78

3. Kash Wilson, 77

4. (t) Tanner Aus, 75

4. (t) Evan Jayne, 75

6. Mason Clements, 73

7. Kyle Brennecke, 70

8. Richmond Champion, 63

Steer Wrestling

1. Noah Lassa, 5.9

2. Noel Strahan, 12.2

3. Brian Conrad, 13.3

4. Ty Standley, 14.9

5. Justin Morehouse, 16.7

Saddle Bronc Riding

1. Dalton Davis, 80

2. Sam Spreadborough, 78

3. David Martin, 77

4. (t) Joe Lufkin, 74

4. (t) Bradley Harter, 74

6. Jordan Corrigan, 72

7. Logan Hulligan, 69

Tie Down Roping

1. Clay Brown, 8.1

2. Payden Emmett, 9.2

3. Cimarron Boardman, 10.7

4. Lane Jeffery, 12.5

Team Roping

1. Clay Smith/Paul Eaves, 4.6

2. Nathan McWhorter/Wesley Thorp, 4.9

3. Chris Chandler/Josh Clayton, 6.2

4. Paul Hebert/Eddie Ruth, 10.4

5. Tyler Johnson/Derrick Peterson, 15.3

Barrel Racing

1. Tracy Nowlin, 16.18

2. Shelley Ward, 16.92

3. Melora Potter, 17.07

4. Myle Ratchford, 17.94

5. Jessica Goodman, 21.70

6. Mandy Bari, 21.99

7. Jennifer Barron, 22.64

Bull Riding

1. Michael Riggs, Jr., 82