Calf roper Peek aims higher after puzzling start in NFR

Josh Peek is waiting patiently to live up to expectations -- and his last name.

But instead of hitting his peak, the 29-year-old cowboy hasn't started as smoothly in the National Finals Rodeo as he would have liked.

His truck broke down in Flagstaff, Ariz., last week on his way to Las Vegas from his home in Pueblo, Colo. Steer wrestler Gabe Ledoux happened by and gave Peek and his horse hauler a lift the rest of the way.

Then Peek's afternoon nap Friday lasted longer than he had planned. That was after spending too much time in a Jacuzzi -- alone, he adds.

Then on Saturday, Peek was stuck in traffic on Las Vegas Boulevard late in the afternoon after spending an hour in a hyperbaric chamber with his chiropractor and steer wrestling mentor, Justin Youngren.

"I was just tired and that puts more oxygen into your system," said Peek, who spent part of the afternoon making an appearance at Cowboy Christmas in the Las Vegas Convention Center.

In what little free time Peek has, he communicates long distance with fiance Kori Bryant about plans for their Jan. 3 wedding.

So much for resting before competing in the $5.6 million rodeo.

Peek said he feels busier than last year when he qualified for calf roping and steer wrestling in his first NFR, and finished the year fourth in calf roping, 11th in steer wrestling and second all-around.

Peek made it to the Thomas & Mack Center in time for Saturday's grand entry ceremony. Less than an hour before his event began, he seemed to be fresh and ready. Extra oxygen must be a good thing.

"I haven't won a check yet, but for me not winning any money yet isn't a big deal," he said prior to the third go-round.

But Peek's NFR didn't get any better before a crowd of 17,353. He placed out of the money for the third night with a time of 9.6 seconds, while Hunter Herrin of Apache, Okla., placed fourth to win another $7,031 and further reduce Peek's lead in the season standings.

His third consecutive out-of-money finish didn't greatly worry Peek, not with seven go-rounds to go, starting at 5:45 p.m. today.

"More than anything, right now I feel so strong in my riding, my horse and roping my cattle that the money will come," he said.

Peek certainly isn't going to change his game plan. Many NFR competitors say they treat the Finals as 10 single-day rodeos, but he is looking at the bigger picture.

What likely will determine this year's calf roping world champion is the event average -- or aggregate -- standings, which combine times from the 10 performances, after which a bonus purse of $162,260 is dispersed to the top eight. The winner gets a $42,999 share.

"I keep thinking about the average when I get back into the chute," he said.

"I'll keep taking good, solid shots that can also be a winning run. Preparation and hard work is what equals success."

And it doesn't hurt to add patience with 70 percent of the event remaining.

Contact reporter Jeff Wolf at jwolf@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0247.