Missouri Valley senior Cooper Link has one good bull ride to his credit, but will it be enough to get him into the short go of the College National Finals Rodeo? (Dan Hubbell/CNFR) [Click to enlarge]

CASPER, Wyo. -- Jake Shaw is sitting pretty right now, if only the cattle will cooperate.

A freshman from Cocoa, Fla., Shaw enters the third and final preliminary round of the College National Finals Rodeo at Casper, Wyo., in enviable position to make the top-12 cut in steer wrestling. He may be the only Missouri Valley College cowboy performing Saturday night.

Senior steer wrestler Colt Becht of Georgetown, Ind., was hoping to make a bid Wednesday during his third "go." After notching times of 7.6 and 13.9 seconds his first two times out, Becht posted a 13.8 during his last prelim. That leaves him in 11th place, but it would take a miracle if he isn't passed by several competitors during their final tries.

On the other hand, Shaw notched times of 5.1 and 5.4 seconds, the first one good for the No. 2 spot in the first "go" and 60 points for the Vikings, and enters Friday's round in the top spot among those still with an attempt remaining. There are only two opponents ahead of him among those who have finished up, so -- barring a complete collapse -- Shaw is nearly a lock on making the short go.

On the bubble is senior bull rider Cooper Link of Louisburg, Kan. Ranked 15th in the NIRA heading into the meet, Link had the fourth-best score during his first go at 76 points, but was thrown the next two times out.

With the bulls holding the advantage over the riders, Link is still in ninth place and only three of the 19 left have higher scores. However, with only one ride under his belt, Link has to hope that none of the 16 cowboys who have a crack at passing him post better marks.

The three other entries from the Valley team which finished second in the Ozark Region will be hard-pressed to survive, even with one more go remaining -- none cracking the top-20 in any of their outings thus far.

Junior Kirk Nelson of Sandborn, Minn., has an outside chance. His two-round total of 130 is seventh among those with one ride left, with 10 points to make up to the closest contestant, with six others who have completed their preliminaries already locked into the finals.

Eight bareback riders are beyond the reach of freshman Kyle Brennecke of Grain Valley, with 136 points through two gos, and even further away from senior Yancy Cody of San Angelo, Texas, with a no-score on his first ride and a 68 on his second.

Brennecke is ranked 10th among those who will join him for a third go.

Nelson will complete the long go tonight, with Brennecke and Cody set to ride Friday.