Woolsey back on the bulls

RENO - Steve Woolsey remembers Feb. 3 very well, and with good reason. It's not everyday you suffer a head injury.

Woolsey's brain was swollen as a result of his spill at the Xtreme Bulls tour stop in San Antonio. He was forced to take eight weeks off, and he now appears to be at the top of his game.

Yet he is not wearing a helmet.

"I really don't worry about it," said Woolsey, who had a nice 86.50 score on his first Xtreme ride Thursday night, and followed that up with a solid 82 on the first go on Friday night. "It (the fall) really shouldn't have happened. I borrowed a pair (of spurs) and wasn't getting a hold. He dropped me and I didn't have anything to spur him on.

"I feel great right now. It doesn't bother me any longer."

That's youth talking. Carefree and feeling invincible. How else could you explain the decision not to wear a helmet in a sport so dangerous?

Woolsey, who has been riding bulls since he was 14, prefers bull riding over saddle bronc riding.

"I'm still trying to figure out bronc riding," said Woolsey, who was thrown off Oh Susan on Friday night, ending his chances of challenging for the all-around title.

Woolsey was sore after his 82-point ride and went to the medical trailer for treatment.

BURGER ON A ROLL

Mary Burger has been the dominant barrel racer in the world this year, and she started off the Reno Rodeo in impressive fashion.

Burger, ranked No. 1, clocked a 17.16 to win Friday morning's slack session, cashing a nice paycheck for $3,155 for her efforts.

Burger was followed by Lindsay Sears (17.21), Tammy Key (17.27), Sheena Robbins (17.30), Shelly Anzick (17.34), Laurie Sutton (17.35), Melanie Southard (17.37), Renee Morgan (17.39), Brenda Mays (17.40) and Codi Baucom and Terry Kaye Kirkland tied for 10th at 17.41.

Washoe Valley's Lita Scott was timed in 17.79, a scant .38 out of the top 10.

Robbins and Sears were the only top-10 slack finishers to compete in the second go-round last night.

Sears is now the early round two leader after a sizzling 17.03, giving her a two-ride total of 34.24 and most likely a spot in Saturday's finals. Robbins knocked down a barrel and finished with a 22.56, giving her a two-round total of 40.26. Her chances of making Saturday's final round are obviously not as good.

GOOD ROOKIE SEASON

Fallon's Jade Corkill won't turn 19 until August, and he's already richer than most of his friends from Fallon High School.

Corkill, who is home schooled, has already won $10,000 in his rookie season, tops for first-year heelers. He's a candidate for the Resistol Rookie of the Year Award. His partner is Matt Tyler.

•Contact Darrell Moody at dmoody@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1281