Crawley Extends Lead in Saddle Bronc at Texas Circuit Finals

Sterling Crawley remained in the lead after the third round in Saddle Bronc riding at the Texas Circuit Finals as the final round looms on Friday evening in Waco, Texas.

Crawley held the lead in the average after two rounds, even though he hadn’t won either of the first two go-rounds on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Well, on Thursday he changed that. Riding Pete Carr Pro Rodeo's Border Town, he posted the best ride of the event through three rounds, with an 86-point ride.

That moved him into a seven-point lead on the average with one round remaining.

Crawley is seeking to win his second Texas Circuit Finals Saddle Bronc championship, as he claimed his title in 2012.

Behind Crawley in the average is Logan Cook, who is second at 240 points and posted an 82-point ride to finish in a tie for third in the third round. Cook won the first round with a ride worth 81.5 points on TNT Pro Rodeo’s Turbulence. He’s finished in the Top 30 in the world rankings each of the last three seasons.

Isaac Diaz is third at 235.5 points after he won the second round with an 85.5-point ride on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo's Palindrone on Wednesday. He tied Cook for third place in the third round with an 82-point ride.

Brandon Lansford, Dean Wadsworth and Parker Fleet round out the top 6 on average.

Texas Circuit Finals

Waco, Texas, Oct. 10-13

First round: 1. Logan Cook, 81.5 points on TNT Pro Rodeo's Turbulence, $2,212; 2. Parker Fleet, 81, $1,659; 3. (tie) Sterling Crawley and Brandon Lansford, 80, $830 each.

Second round: 1. Isaac Diaz, 85.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo's Palindrone, $2,212; 2. Gus Gaillard, 83.5, $1,659; 3. Jarrod Hammons, 81.5, $1,106; 4. Sterling Crawley, 81, $553.

Third round: 1. Sterling Crawley, 86 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo's Border Town, $2,212; 2. Parker Fleet, 85, $1,659; 3. (tie) Logan Cook and Isaac Diaz, 82, $830 each.

Average leaders: 1. Sterling Crawley, 247 points on three head; 2. Logan Cook, 240; 3. Isaac Diaz, 235.5; 4. Brandon Lansford, 233; 5. Dean Wadsworth, 220; 6. Parker Fleet, 166 on two head; no other qualified rides.