2017 San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo

Frenchman Evan Jayne Surges In San Antonio Semifinals

Frenchman Evan Jayne Surges In San Antonio Semifinals

One of the contestants who stepped up to the plate at the San Antonio Stock Show Rodeo on Wednesday was two-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier Evan Jayne, who is a native of France

Feb 23, 2017 by Cassie Emerson Emerson
Frenchman Evan Jayne Surges In San Antonio Semifinals
SAN ANTONIO -- Wednesday night was crunch time for several contestants at the San Antonio Stock Show Rodeo.

Hoping to advance out of Semifinals 1 into Saturday night's finals, they had to earn money to have any hopes of a title. One of those that stepped up to the plate was two-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier Evan Jayne, who is a native of France.

Jayne came to Texas as an exchange student in high school to pursue his dreams of being a rodeo cowboy and never looked back. His ability to ride under pressure was evident in the semifinals. He tied for third place on Tuesday, then came back and won the second round. His 85.5-point ride on Calgary Stampede's Reckless Margie added $4,277 to his earnings.

He came into the semifinals at the bottom of the pack with $2,281 in earnings. He now is second behind reigning world champion Tim O'Connell. Jayne has $8,162 compared to O'Connell's $10,550.

Steer wrestler Nick Guy, from Sparta, Wisconsin, moved to the top of the leaderboard in the semifinals with his second-round win. He stopped the clock in 3.9 seconds, added $4,277 to his earnings, and will enter the finals with $8,803. Saddle bronc rider Jacobs Crawley did the same thing. Crawley, the 2015 world champion, who makes his home in Boerne, rode Three Hills Rodeo's Mr. Haney for 82.5 points and the win. His total earnings of $10,265 secured him a spot on Saturday night. His younger brother, Sterling Crawley from Stephenville, also advanced.

Joe Frost remains at the top of the bull riding standings after riding his fifth bull in the AT&T Center. Frost, from Randlett, Utah, finished third on Wednesday with an 84. Roscoe Jarboe, from New Plymouth, Idaho, and two-time San Antonio champion Sage Kimzey, from Strong City, Oklahoma, were first and second, respectively. All three will advance to the finals, with Frost at the top of the board with $15,706 in earnings.

Semifinals 2 begins on Thursday night at 7 CT, with another group of contestants trying to qualify for Saturday night's finals.

By Susan Kanode