The Similkameen News Leader
Sports Page - September 16, 2008
RODEO CLUB SCORES WITH BULLRIDING FINALS
Princeton Rodeo Club took a huge gamble hosting the BC Pro Bull Riders Finals September 13th and 14th but the club scored 100.
Good weather, high attendance and the top bull riders in the province up against the toughest rodeo stock in the country made for an incredibly successful event.
Of the 17 cowboys who participated, there were only five scoring rides in the first round on Saturday and three in the second round.
On Sunday five riders managed to score in the first round while five held on for the required eight seconds in the final round.
Saturday, September 13
Round 1
1) Quentin Schneider (Cawston, BC) - Special Agent - 81.5 points
2) Mark Johansen (Strathmore, AB) - Storm Warning - 80
3) Cory Perry (Strathmore, AB) - Hostage - 78
4) Kasey Attrill (Princeton, BC) - The Butcher - 74
5) Scott Zigler (Kamloops, BC) - High Roller - 72
Saturday, September 13
Round 2
1) Mark Johansen (Strathmore, AB) - Stubby George - 86.5
2) Mike Gill (Merritt, BC) - Sports Center - 84
3) Ty Pozzobon (Merritt, BC) - Midnite Express - 77.5
Day 1 Winners
1) Mark Johansen (Strathmore, AB) - 166.5 (2 rides)
2) Mike Gill (Merritt, BC) - 84
3) Quentin Schneider (Cawston, BC) - 81.5
Sunday, September 14
Round 1
1) Justin Davis (Williams Lake, BC) - Nic Nac - 82
2) Mike Gill (Merritt, BC) - RE-RIDE - 80
3) Quentin Schneider (Cawston, BC) - Pork Chop - 78.5
4) Brett Fraser (Williams Lake, BC) - The Hostage - 78
5) Kasey Attrill (Princeton, BC) - Blue Thunder - 77.5
Sunday, September 14
Round 2
1) Quentin Schneider (Cawston, BC) - Iwannaplay - 85.5
2) Mark Johansen (Strathmore, AB) - Sweet Pea - 84
3) Mike Gill (Merritt, BC) - 82.5
4) Kasey Attrill (Princeton, BC) - 82
5) Scott Zigler (Kamloops, BC) - Linus - 72
Day 2 Winners
1) Quentin Schneider (Cawston, BC) - 164 (2 rides)
2) Mike Gill (Merritt, BC) - 162.5 (2 rides)
3) Kasey Attrill (Princeton, BC) - 159.5 (2 rides)
BC Pro Bull Rider Champions
1) Mark Johansen (Strathmore, AB) - 250.5 (3 rides)
2) Mike Gill (Merritt, BC) - 246.5 (3 rides)
3) Quentin Schneider (Cawston, BC) - 245.5 (3 rides)
Local Bull Riders Finals
1) Quentin Schneider (Cawston, BC) - 245.5 (3 rides)
2) Kasey Attrill (Princeton, BC) - 233.5 (3 rides - good for fourth overall)
3) Brian Rutherford (Princeton, BC) - NO SCORE (0 rides).
Although final figures will not be available for at least another week or two, Princeton Rodeo Club has indicated a large crowd on Saturday which stayed to participate in the evening bar-be-que added to the revenue.
The partnering with Princeton Rotary Club to host their annual 'Taste of Ales' along with the Bull Riders Finals was also viewed as a huge plus for spectators looking for something to do between the end of the first day of bullriding and the start of the bar-be-que.
Princeton 4-H Club did well over the weekend assisting with the concession stand and conducting other fundraising activities on the grounds.
All indications are pointing towards Princeton becoming the new home of the BC Professional Bull Riders Finals for at least the next five years.
POSSE ADD INTERNET, LOSE HOME OPENER
The Valley First Princeton Posse hosted their home opener of the 2008/09 KIJHL Season September 13th against Fernie Ghostriders.
Despite the many other activities taking place around town over the weekend, which included the BC Professional Bull Riders Finals, Princeton Rotary Club annual Taste of Ales and a R/C Jet Rally, Princeton Arena was filled with hockey fans anxious to get a look at their new team.
Princeton opened the scoring at 9:19 with a goal by Dylen McKinlay off a pass from Spencer Brooks.
The Ghostriders tied the game with a power play goal with 2:05 left in the frame.
Fernie added two more goals in the second period to take the lead but the home team did not give up. In fact, Princeton continued to put pressure on the Ghostriders and added their second goal of the game on the power play only a minute into the third period.
Evan Weaver got the goal with assists going to Leeland Malkinson and Brody Brewster.
Fernie replied 13-seconds later and added three more goals before Princeton managed to score another of their own with 1:26 left in the game.
Nick Cecconi scored the marker with assistance from Nolan O'Brien and Jared Hidber.
Although Fernie won the game with a score of 7 to 3, the stats sheet tells a slightly different story.
Princeton had pelted the Fernie net with 41 shots compared to 32 by the Ghostriders, and Fernie took 22-minutes of penalties compared to Princeton's 10-minutes.
There were no fights, and both teams played a solid, action-filled game.
The game also marked the first time Princeton had broadcast play-by-play from Princeton Arena on the internet.
Posse Assistant Coach Kevin Robillard gets the credit for setting the system up which will be used at every home game this season.
Former Princeton Broadcaster George Elliott will be the 'internet voice' of the Posse.
"In my radio career than spanned just over 22-years, I had never done a play-by-play before so I was pretty excited when the team approached me to see if I was interested in giving it a try," says Elliott who is the Owner/Publisher of the Similkameen News Leader.
"It's going to take me a couple games to nail all the names, but it felt pretty good for a first-time effort and I think anything the club can do to help promote the team and the community is a good thing and, quite honestly, I'm proud to be part of it."
The club has also added a new 'family friendly' pricing for game admission this year.
Single tickets are $10.00 for adults, $7.00 for students and seniors with children under 6 admitted to the games at no charge.
A family of 3 (1 adult, 2 students or 2 adults, 1 student) will pay $20.00 and a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 students or 1 adult, 3 students) will pay $27.00.
The goal of the club is to make ticket prices more affordable for families, especially on two-game weekends.
