SWEETWATER REPORTER (Texas) 14 March 05 Round-Up records fifth highest pound total (Ben Barkley)

In a moment that will be remembered by all of those in attendance, the Sweetwater Jaycees honored one of their own during the final moments of the 47th annual World's Largest Rattlesnake Round-Up Sunday afternoon.

After all the awards were handed out, Dennis Cornutt's three sons -- Jason, Heath and Ray -- were called into the show pit, where they received a standing ovation in honor of their father. Several people wiped away tears as the three men stood saluting their father, who died in an automobile accident Friday night.

Law enforcement officials said Cornutt suffered a heart attack while traveling home from the Round-Up Friday and rolled his vehicle.

Julie Hurn was presented with the Rooster of the Year award during the Round-Up. She raised the plaque over her head and simply said, "This one is for you Dennis."

Hurn, who is one of the co-chairman of the cookoff, asked those in attendance at Saturday's awards ceremony to raise their drink in honor of Cornutt.

Jaycee member Hank Waldrop said Saturday morning that Cornutt would want the Round-Up to go on. And that was exactly what happened at the Nolan County Coliseum.

For the first time since 1992, the total number of pounds of rattlesnakes turned in topped the 10,000 pound mark.

A total of 10,212 pounds was recorded during the four days of the Round-Up. That is the fifth highest total in the history of the event.

A trend continued as Eric Timaeus brought in the largest snake of the weekend. His sixth straight winning find was 77 inches in length.

"This is just becoming a normal thing," he said after showing the crowd his snake.

Jamie Nail was the top group to bring in the most pounds. A total of 1,665 pounds was brought in by the group.

One of the most entertaining events of the weekend was the rattlesnake eating contest. And history was made during the contest.

For the first time, a tie was recorded for first place. Eric Hurley and Sean Powers tied for eating the most snake in a 60-second span.

Officials made a determination to have the two men compete in a 30-second "eat-off" to determine the first place finisher. Hurley was crowned the champion after the second contest. Two-time champion Allen Perrie was third in the contest.

The Jaycees also conducted their 16th annual cookoff. Ronnie Wade of Hillsboro captured the grand champion title.

"I had a great time. This is my first time here," he said. "I am going to be back."

Wade and his team, Blazen BBQ finished second in the brisket competition; and third in the ribs competition and snake competition.

Winners of each category in the cookoff were One Slice at a Time for brisket; Crawford Cooking for chicken; Bar-B-Que and Brew Crew for ribs; Barnes Buddies BBQ Team for snake; and Weldon E. Lloyd for chili.

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Round-Up records fifth highest pound total

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