GUTHRIE - Wylie Gustafson and Robbie Schroeder supported each other and Oklahoma's ill children during the Reba McEntire Pro Celebrity Rodeo "A Tribute to Ben Johnson."

In both respects, they rode away winners Saturday night at the Lazy E Arena.

Gustafson, a music entertainer who is known by the name "Wylie," and Schroeder, a World Champion in the horse show industry, roped three in 28.2 seconds to claim the team roping win.

They also gave of their time and talents to raise money for Children's Medical Research.

"I'm still in shock," said Gustafson of Dusty, Wash. "I didn't come to win, I just came to participate in this wonderful event that Reba has going. But it means so much to win it.

"The reason I come is because of the kids. And I get to meet my heroes, these professional rodeo cowboys."

Wylie and Schroeder won the opening round, had the sixth-fastest time in the second round and won the final round en route to their average win.

Schroeder and wife, Joan, have a healthy son, Ryan, 6. That fact lends to the significance of the Pro Celebrity event, he said.

"It makes you thankful for what you have, and it makes you realize you could do more," he said.

This was the third year the singer and horseman have paired up at the Pro Celebrity and the first time they have advanced to the final round.

During opening ceremonies, E.K. Gaylord II, president and owner of the Lazy E Arena, informed McEntire, who is accustomed to setting records, that she had added another.

The weekend of auction and rodeo activities during the Reba McEntire Pro Celebrity: "A Tribute to Ben Johnson" raised an event record $215,000.

In the history of the event, more than $1.1 million has been donated to Children's Medical Research as well as a $1 million Ben Johnson Chair in Pediatric Oncology Research.

Also impressive: In the three years of McEntire's involvement with the event, about $600,000 has been raised.

Also earning a title was the trio of Linda Davis, Robin Merrill and K.C. Jones, who won the team penning title by penning three head of cattle in 30.3 seconds.

"I don't think I've ever smiled over a buckle win like this one, just because of what it means," Merrill said. "It means helping children."

On Saturday, the third event of the evening was a crowd pleaser - the wild cow milking.

In a close and action-packed race, the Edmond Fire Department used a time of 146.4 to edge the Edmond Police Department, which had a 147.8.

Results

TEAM ROPING
First go-round: 1. Wylie Gustafson-Robbie Schroeder, 9.1; 2. Frank Merrill-K.C. Jones, 9.2; 3. Billy Minick-Ote Berry, 10.6; 4. Kenny Call-Wilford Brimley, 12.4.

Second go-round: 1. Ty O'Neal-Derek Clark, 5.2; 2. John Miller-Dean Smith, 8.8; 3. Frank Merrill-K.C. Jones, 8.9; 4. Billy Minick-Ote Berry, 9.2.

Short go: 1. Wylie Gustafson-Robbie Schroeder, 8.5.

Average: 1. Wylie Gustafson-Robbie Schroeder, 28.2 on three; 2. Frank Merrill-K.C. Jones, 18.1 on two; 3. Billy Minick-Ote Berry, 19.8; 4. Mary Ann Miller-Wesley Glover, 25.0.

Team Penning
1. Linda Davis-Robin Merrill-K.C. Jones, 30.3; 2. Susie Luchsinger-Pake McEntire-Ote Berry, 39.1; 3. Jennifer Reynolds-Wilford Brimley-John Miller, 43.3; 4. John Vance-Wayne Parks-Rusty Martin, 44.0.

Wild Cow Milking 1. Edmond Fire Department, 146.4; 2. Edmond Police Department, 147.8.