Cowboy in line for IPRA championship

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Tupelo cowboy Cord McCoy started the 2002 International Professional Rodeo Association season with the goal of winning the all-around championship. <br><br>He can consider that goal

Friday, January 17th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Tupelo cowboy Cord McCoy started the 2002 International Professional Rodeo Association season with the goal of winning the all-around championship.

He can consider that goal accomplished.

McCoy has earned $78,105 as the IPRA heads into its season finale, giving him more than a $41,300 lead over Terry Crow of Miami, Okla., who is second in the all-around race with $36,711.

The International Finals Rodeo, with a purse of $500,000 runs through Sunday in Oklahoma City.

But McCoy hasn't won the gold buckle yet and he doesn't want to jump the gun.

``I won't believe it until somebody writes my name on it and hands it to me,'' said McCoy, who has competed in the association for six years. McCoy is less than $7,000 away from breaking the association's single-season earnings record, which was set by his brother, Jet McCoy with $84,976 in 1999.

``We might as well stencil his name on the buckle, because he's won the all-around,'' IPRA executive director Ronnie Williams said. ``He's had a terrific season.''

``If I was a betting man, I'd say the record will be broken this week. He's coming in here with momentum.

``He's healthy. He's focused. He wants to accomplish something that no other contestant has done, and that's win three world championships in the same year.''

McCoy was also No. 1 in both the saddle bronc-riding and bull-riding standings going into the start of the International Finals Rodeo on Thursday.

He also has the advantage of being a three-event contestant. He is No. 8 in the bareback-riding standings.

After five years of traveling primarily with Jet, older by 13 months, the brothers split up a little.

Jet tried his hand at PRCA rodeos, then focused on his degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State in Weatherford, and he got it in December.

Cord focused on the IPRA.

It seems to have paid off for the youngest McCoy.

``When I started the year, people said I was crazy,'' Cord McCoy said. ``If there was a rodeo in California, one in Georgia and one in Florida in the same week, I'd enter all three.

``I guess I'm young enough that I like the travel. I got in with some younger guys, then traveled with some more experienced guys. We sure had a good summer, and I really enjoyed it.''