LAS VEGAS – If Clint Cooper was planning on hitting the casino in Las Vegas, he might want to focus on the number 2.
Snake eyes. Double down. Black 2. Craps.
![Clint Cooper](http://twistedrodeo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/ClintCooper.jpg)
The Decatur, Texas, cowboy roped and tied his calf in 7.9 seconds to finish second in the fifth go-round of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, earning $15,018 in the process. He has pushed his NFR earnings past $27,000 in five nights of competition and is 10th in the tie-down roping world standings with nearly $97,000.
It was a strong night for Cooper, the son of eight-time world champion Roy Cooper. The younger roper grew up in Lovington, N.M., in the state’s southeastern corner. He a five-round cumulative time of 42.7 seconds and sits No. 2 in the all-important average race.
That’s vital now that the NFR is at its halfway point. If he stays in that position through Saturday night’s 10th go-round, Clint Cooper will add a bonus of more than $39,000. If he wins the average, that’s worth $48,732.
He’s not the only Tate Branch Auto Group cowboy with a chance at that coveted NFR average championship. Jim Ross Cooper, a heeler from Monument, N.M., sits third with a five-run cumulative time of 40.4 seconds. Roping with header Brandon Beers, the pair failed to place Monday night, roping their steer in 8.3 seconds.
Meanwhile, two-time world champion saddle bronc rider Taos Muncy, a “Ride for the Brand” cowboy from Corona, N.M., scored 79.5 points on Three Hills Rodeo’s Roulette and finished half a point out of the money. He is fifth in the average.