It seems strange that a kid from the suburbs would become a competitive rodeo cowboy. But for Edward Harrison, it's in his blood.

Harrison is following in the tradition of his grandfather Ron Gibson, a rodeo cowboy with more than 40 years of experience in steer wrestling.

"My grandfather was a rodeo cowboy. Ever since I was born, I've been going to rodeos," said Harrison, a Southfield native and an animal science freshman. Gibson watched from the railings at the Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education as his grandson competed at the Spartan Stampede IPRA Rodeo on Saturday. For 59-year-old Gibson, who also competed that day, it was a swap of positions, but not an unusual situation.

"He's been with me since he was just a little guy," Gibson said.

The International Professional Rodeo Association competition featured 240 cowboys and cowgirls from around the country in events like barrel racing, bull riding and steer wrestling - Harrison's specialty.

Although Harrison has been exposed to steer wrestling all his life, he only began competing last May. Since joining the MSU Rodeo Club this year, he has steer wrestled in four college competitions.

"I'm just now getting good at it," Harrison said.

Steer wrestling is one of the rodeo's most dangerous events. Called "the big man's sport," its competitors often are burly cowboys with thick muscles and brawny statures. The short and thinly built Harrison doesn't quite fit the stereotype.

"You've got to be big and tough to wrestle cows, but I've always been the little guy," he said with a laugh. "This might be a good chance to show off my muscles, you know?"

Size didn't deter Harrison on Saturday, however, where he was one of the only wrestlers to get his hands on the bait.

After some trouble coaxing his horse into its starting gate position, Harrison managed to attack a cow with valiant execution. He slid from his speeding horse directly into a tangle of hooves, tackling the steer's back. Grabbing the horns, he threw all his weight into the animal, attempting to topple it to the ground.

Although Harrison never managed to bring the steer down, the crowd was supportive of the relatively green competitor.

"It's really impressive that he got ahold of it," said Brian Nielsen, the MSU Rodeo Club adviser. "There's guys with more experience who don't always get it."

It's Harrison's courage and guts that seem to impress rodeo fans and competitors the most. Rodeo club member and bareback rider Jesse Dawson said an attitude Harrison's is unique and can be downright dangerous.

"He's not scared of any of them, and that scares everybody else," said the agricultural industry freshman. "If you're not scared, you don't live long."

But Harrison insists he has nothing to fear, even when jumping off a horse moving at 30 mph.

"You might throw a bone out of place if you hit the ground hard enough," he said. "It isn't really dangerous."

Harrison plans on sticking with the rodeo club for the long haul, saying he wants to win a steer-wrestling competition this summer. His grandfather said Harrison wants to take a leadership role within the club, maybe pursuing a spot as club president.

But for right now, Harrison's goals are modest.

"As long as I don't look bad, I'll be happy," he said.