Two-time WPRA World Champion and 2009 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo average champion Sherry Cervi added yet another title to her impressive resume and $61,500 paycheck to her bank account. This was Cervi's fourth RodeoHouston title.

"The payout was definitely different this time around but the thrill of the win was just as good as the first time," said Cervi of Marana, Ariz. "I have now won the title in Houston on three different horses - Troubles, Hawk and Stingray - which is pretty cool."

Cervi's three previous wins came in 1995 when she won $18,983, 2000 with $16,497 and 2001 with $19,033.

"I woke up on Sunday around 4 a.m. to make sure I wasn't dreaming about the win and the big paycheck," Cervi said with a chuckle. "It is awesome that Houston puts up that much money for the contestants to compete for. That committee treats us really well, and they are happy to have us. They do a great job."

Cervi's journey started in the second of five brackets. Aboard her 7-year-old mare, MP Meter My Hay, Cervi won the first and second rounds with times of 15.01 and 15.03 seconds, respectively. The duo took second in the third round with a 15.22-second run but still hung on for the average win in the second bracket with a time of 45.26 seconds on three runs. After the first three runs, Cervi had already stuffed $9,500 into her Wrangler Jeans.

Cervi and Stingray - a product of PESI stallion PC Frenchmans Hayday "Dinero" owned by Cervi's father Mel Potter and out of Miss Meter Jet, sister to Hawk - turned up the heat on the competition in the second semifinals, setting a new arena record at Reliant Stadium with a time of 14.59 seconds and automatically qualifying for the championship round.

This year's barrel racing pattern was shortened from previous years, but the quickest time that had been turned prior to Cervi's semifinal run on the 2010 pattern size was by two-time and reigning world champion Brittany Pozzi in the third round of the first bracket with a time of 14.62 seconds.

"I drew up in a very tough semifinals and knew we would have to be solid to advance," Cervi said when asked about the record. "She ran really hard, and it was a very exciting barrel race that night. I was just glad to be part of it all."

The race to the title didn't get any easier with the championship field featuring Cervi, Pozzi and Lindsay Sears -- who have collected five world titles amongst them - 2008 Wrangler NFR average champion Jill Moody; 2009 WPRA rookie of the year Kelli Tolbert; three California cowgirls Sheena Robbins, Rachael Ross and Christina Richman; seven-time Wrangler NFR qualifier Rachael Myllymaki; and 2008 Wrangler NFR qualifier Stephanie Fryar. The top four times from the championship round advanced to the shootout round and a chance at $50,000.

Pozzi won the championship round with a time of 14.64 seconds aboard her 6-year-old palomino gelding, Yeah Hes Firen "Duke," - by PESI Stallion Alive N Firen - with Christina Richman and her 8-year-old horse, Xtrared, right on their heels finishing in a time of 14.66 seconds. Jill Moody and TR Dashing Badger "Dolly" was third after rounding the cloverleaf pattern in 14.71 seconds. Cervi rounded out the top four with a time of 14.81 seconds.

With her fourth-place finish in the championship round that meant that Cervi and Stingray would be the first duo out in the shootout. Knowing the field was loaded with talent, the duo left nothing to chance setting the pace with a 14.63-second run. Richman and Xtrared - who is sired by WPRA PESI Stallion Red - came the closest finishing in a time of 14.76 seconds. Moody was third in a time of 14.79 seconds, and Pozzi was fourth with a 20.23.

Making the win that much sweeter for Cervi was that earlier in the performance, team roper Cory Petska roped his way to the winner's circle aboard Daisy (MP Daysys N Roses) a daughter of Dinero. Petska and his partner, Turtle Powell, stopped the clock in 4.1 seconds in the shootout round to not only pick up the $50,000 each in the team roping, but they also set a new arena record.

"It was definitely a good day for Potter Ranch and especially Dinero," said Cervi, who was beaming with pride. "My dad wasn't able to be in Houston, but he got to watch it on TV. It was really a tribute to my dad, and I was so happy for him."

RodeoHouston
March 2 - 20, 2010

Bracket I
First round: 1. Brittany Pozzi, 14.71 seconds, $2,000; 2. Lindsay Sears, 14.90, $1,000; 3. Sammi Bessert, 15.07, $500. Second round: 1. Lindsay Sears, 14.97 seconds, $2,000; 2. Brittany Pozzi, 15.10, $1,000; 3. Sammi Bessert, 15.12, $500; Third round: 1. Brittany Pozzi, 14.62 seconds, $2,000; 2. Jill Moody, 14.93, $1,000; 3. Mary Burger, 15.01, $500. Average: 1. Brittany Pozzi, 44.43 seconds on three runs, $4,500; 2. Lindsay Sears, 44.89, $2,000; 3. Jill Moody, 45.47, $1,000; 4. Sammi Bessert, 45.52, $500; Total earnings for Bracket I (top four advance): 1. Brittany Pozzi, $9,500; 2. Lindsay Sears, $5,000; 3. Jill Moody, $2,000; 4. Sammi Bessert, $1,500; 5. Mary Burger, $500.

Bracket II
First round: 1. Sherry Cervi, 15.01 seconds, $2,000; 2. Mattie Little-Jackson, 15.18, $1,000; 3. Sabra O'Quinn, 15.47, $500; Second round: 1. Sherry Cervi, 15.03 seconds, $2,000; 2. Stephanie Fryar, 15.26, $1,000; 3. Haley Thorne, 15.31, $500; Third round: 1. Stephanie Fryar, 15.20 seconds, $2,000; 2. Sherry Cervi, 15.22, $1,000; 3. Haley Thorne, 15.31, $500; Average: 1. Sherry Cervi, 45.26 seconds on three runs, $4,500; 2. Stephanie Fryar, 46.02, $2,000; 3. Sabra O'Quinn, 46.19, $1,000; 4. Mattie Little-Jackson, 46.21, $500; Total earnings for Bracket II (top four advance): 1. Sherry Cervi, $9,500; 2. Stephanie Fryar, $5,000; 3. (tie) Sabra O'Quinn and Mattie Little-Jackson, $1,500 each; 5. Haley Thorne, $1,000.

Bracket III
First round: 1. Tana Poppino, 15.05 seconds, $2,000; 2. Sue Berg, 15.23, $1,000; 3. Jackie Jatzlau, 15.27, $500. Second round: 1. Christina Richman, 14.95 seconds, $2,000; 2. Jeanne Anderson, 15.14, $1,000; 3. Sue Berg, 15.17, $500; Third round: 1. Christina Richman, 14.85 seconds, $2,000; 2. Jean Winters, 14.95, $1,000; 3. Jana Isaac 14.98, $500; Average: 45.13 seconds on three runs, $4,500; 2. Sue Berg, 45.52, $2,000; 3. Jana Isaac, $1,000; 4. Shelley Morgan, 45.97, $500; Total earnings for Bracket III (top four advance): 1. Christina Richman, $8,500; 2. Sue Berg, $3,500; 3. Tana Poppino, $2,000; 4. Jana Isaac, $1,500; 5. (tie) Jean Winters and Jeanne Anderson, $1,000 each; 7. (tie) Shelley Morgan and Jackie Jatzlau, $500 each.

Bracket IV
First round: 1. Rachael Myllymaki, 14.87 seconds, $2,000; 2. Kelli Tolbert, 15.12, $1,000; 3. Danyelle Campbell, 15.51, $500. Second round: 1. Kelli Tolbert, 14.80 seconds, $2,000; 2. Sherrylynn Johnson, 14.90, $1,000; 3. Rachael Myllymaki, 15.12, $500. Third round: 1. Kelli Tolbert, 15.00 seconds, $2,000; 2. (tie) Rachael Myllymaki and Julie James, 15.22, $750 each; Average: 1. Kelli Tolbert, 44.92 seconds on three runs, $4,500; 2. Rachael Myllymaki, 45.21, $2,000; 3. (tie) Julie James and Gaylene Buff, 46.19, $750 each; Total earnings for Bracket IV (top four advance): 1. Kelli Tolbert, $9,500; 2. Rachael Myllymaki, $5,250; 3. Julie James, $1,500; 4. Sherrylynn Johnson, $1,000; 5. Gaylene Buff, $750; 6. Danyelle Campbell, $500.

Bracket V
First round: 1. Rachael Ross, 15.01 seconds, $2,000; 2. Tammy Bruso, 15.02, $1,000; 3. Lisa Lockhart, 15.04, $500. Second round: 1. Sheena Robbins, 14.86 seconds, $2,000; 2. Nellie Williams, 14.91, $1,000; 3. Rachael Ross, 14.93, $500. Third round: 1. Nellie Williams, 14.94 seconds, $2,000; 2. Sheena Robbins, 14.03, $1,000; 3. Britany Fleck, 15.16, $500. Average: 1. Nellie Williams, 45.00 seconds on three runs, $4,500; 2. Britany Fleck, 45.38, $2,000; 3. Sheena Robbins, 45.41, $1,000; 4. Tammy Bruso, 46.05, $500. Total earnings for Bracket V (top four advance): 1. Nellie Williams, $7,500; 2. Sheena Robbins, $4,000; 3. (tie) Britany Fleck and Rachael Ross, $2,500; 5. Tammy Bruso, $1,500; 6. Lisa Lockhart, $500.

Semifinal I
1. Jill Moody, 14.80 seconds, $2,000; 2. Sheena Robbins, 14.95, $1,000; 3. Rachael Ross, 15.00, $750; 4. Stephanie Fryar, 15.15, $500.

Semifinal II
1. Sherry Cervi, 14.59 seconds, $2,000; 2. (tie) Christina Richman and Lindsay Sears, 14.78, $875 each; 4. Kelli Tolbert, 14.80, $500.

Wild Card Round (top two advance)
1. Brittany Pozzi, 14.65 seconds, $2,000; 2. Rachael Myllymaki, 15.05, $1,000; 3. Sammi Bessert, 15.06, $750; 4. Britany Fleck, 15.11, $500.

Final Round (top four advance to $50,000 Shootout Round)
1. Brittany Pozzi, 14.64 seconds; 2. Christina Richman, 14.66; 3. Jill Moody, 14.71; 4. Sherry Cervi, 14.81; 5. Rachael Ross, 14.85, $500; 6. Kelli Tolbert, 14.91, $500; 7. Rachael Myllymaki, 14.93, $500; 8. Sheena Robbins, 14.95, $500; 9. Lindsay Sears, 15.08, $500; 10. Stephanie Fryar, 15.41, $500.

Shootout Round:
1. Sherry Cervi, 14.63 seconds, $50,000; 2. Christina Richman, 14.76, $20,000; 3. Jill Moody, 14.79, $7,000; 4. Brittany Pozzi, 20.23, $3,500.

Total earnings: 1. Sherry Cervi, $61,500; 2. Christina Richman, $29,375; 3. Brittany Pozzi, $15,000; 4. Jill Moody, $11,000; 5. Kelli Tolbert, $10,500; 6. Nellie Williams, $7,500; 7. Rachael Mylymaki, $6,750; 8. Lindsay Sears, $6,375; 9. Stephanie Fryar, $6,000; 10. Sheena Robbins, $5,500; 11. Rachael Ross, $3,750; 12. Sue Berg, $3,500; 13. Britany Fleck, $3,000; 14. Sammi Bessert, $2,250; 15. Tana Poppino, $2,000; 16. (tie) Julie James, Tammy Bruso, Mattie Jackson, Sabra O'Quinn, Jana Isaac, $1,500; 21. (tie) Jean Winters, Haley Thorne, Jeanne Anderson, Sherrylynn Johnson, $1,000; 25. Gaylene Buff, $750; 26. (tie) Danyelle Campbell, Jackie Jatzlau, Shelley Morgan, Mary Burger and Lisa Lockhart, $500.