Published: August 08, 2009 01:02 pm      

Pros, cons of prison rodeo

One of the best rodeos on the road to the International Finals Rodeo, the Oklahoma State Penitentiary Rodeo draws top contestants every year. This year, each timed event has at least three of the top five cowboys and cowgirls in the standings to date.

Eufala’s Josh Anderson is currently number one in the IPRA Steer Wrestling standings. He’ll make his run in Thursday morning’s slack, as will McAlester’s own Jordan Wiseman, who currently holds the number five spot in the standings.

Four of the top five calf ropers will make appearances in McAlester this weekend. Number two ranked Dustin Oswalt will throw his rope at Friday night’s performance, while Wade White, of Texas, Ken Bailey, Okmulgee, and P.J. Spencer, Collinsville, will rope in Thursday’s slack. They are ranked third, fourth and fifth, respectively, in the race for the finals.

In the team roping, all of the top five headers are entered, while four of the top five heelers will be here, too.

Number one ranked barrel racer Mesa Leavitt, Iowa, along with number three ranked Carie White, of Texas, will run in the slack on Thursday, while number two ranked Sallye Williams, Skiatook, and

number six ranked Myle Ratchford, Arkansas, will run Friday night.

Standings are based on money won for the 2009 season so far.

Local contestants will make their marks, as well, including calf roper Billy Hamilton; team ropers Justin Thompson, Fordi Glenn, and Heath Osborne; and barrel racers Montana Hammonds, and Leann Stockton, all of McAlester, and all in Thursday’s slack. Also competing in Thursday’s slack are team ropers Jerry Ogden, and Morgan Hamlin, both of Quinton.

McAlester steer wrestler Joe Painter competes Friday night, as do calf ropers Toby Jenson, Steve Brewer, Cody Jenson, and Bradley Hamilton.

Jeremy Bullard will make a run in the steer wrestling Saturday night, as will barrel racers Brittney Hipp, and Carolyn LeDoux, all of McAlester.

Contact Mandy Carter at mcarter@mcalesternews.com or by phone at 424-2153.