National Finals Rodeo: Andrews' LeMond wins opening round of team roping

LAS VEGAS JoJo LeMond of Andrews teamed up with Randon Adams to win the first round in team roping during Thursday’s opening performance of the 2009 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas and Mack Arena.

Lemond, the header, caught the steer right out of the chute, turning it so Adams, the 2008 world champion heeler, could finish the catch in 4.3 seconds.

Adams is the defending world champion heeler while LeMond finished seventh last year in the header world standings. Both competed last year with different partners.

“I missed the barrier by a little bit, and that steer stepped over in front of Randon,” said LeMond, who moved to third place in the PRCA World Standings along with his partner. “I put myself in a situation where I just had to go at him and reach. I should have ridden the barrier better, but my man, like always, can handle it. He’s the best heeler in the world.”

LeMond and Adams finished two-tenths of a second ahead of Steve Purcella and Jhett Johnson to earn the $17,139 first-place checks.

Midland’s Patrick Smith, heeling with Trevor Brazile, did not record a time. Smith and Brazile were one on four teams who did not record a time in the opening round.

Also, former Odessa College cowboy Ryan Gray was 11th in the opening round of bareback riding with a score of 81 points.