Valley's Shaw takes lead at CNFR

CASPER, Wyo. -- Missouri Valley College cowboy Jake Shaw emerged from the first "go" of the College National Finals Rodeo with the lead in steer wrestling.

The junior from Cocoa, Fla., took the bovine down in 3.9 seconds Monday, one-tenth of a second faster than Northwest Oklahoma State's Kody Woodward. Shaw came into the event at Casper, Wyo., ranked second in the NIRA in total points to Nick Gutzwiler of Walla Walla (Wash.) Community College.

"I had a pretty good steer," Shaw said. "I was able to use the horse to my advantage and then take care of business when I got on the ground."

Shaw accounted for 80 of the 90 points scored by the Ozark Region-champion Vikings in the opening round of competition, putting them in 14th place. Shaw also had the best time of the round in tie-down roping at 9.6 seconds, but had 10 penalty seconds added for breaking the barrier out of the gate and is currently in 24th place.

The remaining 10 points of the Vikings' total came from an eighth-place showing by junior Kyle Brennecke of Grain Valley in bareback riding, posting a 77.5-point score in the first go Sunday.

Brennecke had a second successful ride Monday, although with a much lower score of 56.0 points. He'll have his third and final preliminary attempt today, then wait to see if he can finish in the top 12 for a crack at Saturday's championship round.

Valley's other bareback entry, junior James Earl Carter, tallied 70.5 points during his first ride and goes again today.

Sophomore Will Smith of Luyoff, S.C., who came into the meet as the national leader in saddle bronc riding, stayed up on his mount during the first two gos -- Sunday's 71.5 to tie for 11th place followed by a 61.5 Monday. His third ride won't be until Thursday.

Meanwhile, junior Adam Gilchrist was thrown in his saddle bronc debut and will try again today. Freshman Will Crain was also unable to complete eight seconds in either of his first two gos in bull riding.

The team roping duo of juniors Chance Weldon and Brady Wilson was unable to score in its first go.

None of the Lady Vikings scored team points, although all four goat tyers got in respectable times. Junior Krista Staley led the group with a mark of 7.4 seconds to tie for 14th place, followed by senior Kallie Agre (7.5 seconds), junior Katie Kimble (7.8) and senior Amy Adametz (8.2).

Breakaway roping hasn't gone so well. While Kimble posted a 12.7-second score on her first go, she missed her throw the second time around. Agre also failed to score in her opening attempt and will try again today.

The Vikings, who have won back-to-back regional titles, were third in team points in the NIRA -- behind Walla Walla and Southern Idaho -- during the regular season.