Locals Cervi, de la Cruz help Tucson rodeo turn 90
The 90th Tucson Rodeo — La Fiesta de los Vaqueros — began Saturday, and its field of 623 contestants is similar to a PGA Tour “major.” It’s the Who’s Who of rodeo.
It was good timing last week in that Marana’s Sherry Cervi, a four-time world champion barrel racer, made what was essentially her 2015 debut at the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo in Texas. Predictably, she won the barrel racing title, earning $6,272.
Cervi is one of 14 Southern Arizona pros in the week-long rodeo. She will be joined by her husband, Cory Petska, one of the world’s premier team ropers and No. 14 on the money list. Petska and Cervi were married in September.
Two-time world champion team roper Matt Sherwood, who lives on a ranch near Willcox, is also entered. He is ranked No. 5 in the world. Desert View High School grad Cesar de la Cruz, a four-time National Finals Rodeo contender, not only will be home for the week, but will wear bib No. 1. How fitting.
