In 2005, Sam Levine was a teenage roper trying to keep pace with older, more seasoned competitors in the timed events.

The Wolf Creek teen took special interest when Danny Cross backed into the chute at the Mineral County Fairgrounds to compete at the Superior Lions Club Rodeo.

Cross was chasing more than money at the annual Northern Rodeo Association event traditionally held the first weekend of August.

The former tie-down and all-around champion was roping for gold.

The Superior Lions Club sponsors a Go for the Gold contest every year. To qualify, a competitor must be the high money winner three different years. The winner is awarded a half-ounce of gold. A half ounce is added every year it is not claimed.

“We needed entries to go up,” said Guy Gould, the Superior Lions Club rodeo chairman. “That started helping. Word was starting to get out.

Cross won in 1988 and 1989. He was passing through Superior in 2005, entered and left with 18 ounces of gold.

“I watched him do it and how cool it was,” said Levine. “It was the coolest thing to see play out.”

Levine made himself gold eligible with wins in 2018 and 2022.

“We kind of knew,” he said of being eligible. “It was definitely a goal.”

The 39-year-old Levine won the tie-down roping, placed third in steer wrestling and won the team roping with Gavin Beattie of Helena. The newest gold collector is a former tie-down roping, team roping and all-around year-end champion

Levine earned $1,094.16 to edge Molly Salmond of Choteau by a scant $9.31. Salmond won the breakaway roping and was third in barrel racing.

“It was awesome,” he said, the enthusiasm resonating through his voice.

Next on the eligible list is Cally Goyins with wins in 2008 and 2011.

“To say it was a team effort would be an understatement,” Levine added of the precious metal chase.

He used three different horses in tie-down roping … his own, one borrowed from his father and the third, “I stole my wife’s breakaway horse.”

The biggest unknown was in steer wrestling. Superior was his only NRA bulldogging run.

“I knew I was going to jump one time and one time only and going to land flat,” Levine said. He rode Bernie, being used by Talvin Champ and owned by Walt Anseth. Bernie is a former NRA steer wrestling horse of the year.

“That horse is so easy,” said Levine. “It was a blessing to ride a horse like that.”

Levine will be presented his prize at the NRA Finals presented by nuWest Builders at Majestic Valley Arena in Kalispell in October.

“It is starting to get out,” said Gould of the attention. “It has drawn interest.”

The gold is currently being kept in a safety deposit box.

Levine is still contemplating what is next for his winnings.

“I’ll probably just bury it,” he said. “I just hope I remember where I bury it.”