CASPER - Vale cowgirl Nikki Steffes used a 14.01-second run in Thursday night's barrel racing go at the College National Finals Rodeo at the Casper Events Center to help propel her into first place in the women's all-around and her University of Wyoming team into first place in the team standings.
Tarleton State's Jamie Mader is in second place in the women's all-around and South Dakota State's Jacque Murray is in third, thanks to currently sitting in second place in the goat tying.
National American University's women's team is in 10th place overall as Jessica Painter is currently in fifth place in goat tying and Krista Minow seventh in barrel racing. The Wyoming women are in control of first place in the team standings with 405 points. Sam Houston State (Tex.) is in second place with 240 points.
Ranger College's Steven Dent is in first place in the men's all-around and his team is leading the men's team standings by 340 points - 750 to 410 - over Utah Valley State. The National American men are in 32nd place with 80 points.
South Dakota State's Joe Gunderson, the defending champion in bareback, is sitting pretty once again in the event as he has 234 points, right behind current first-place cowboy Bud Munns of Utah Valley State. South Dakota State's men are currently in 23rd place with 130 points. The Jackrabbit women are tied for 11th with 105 points.
