Vikings make few gains at CNFR

Valley junior Kyle Brennecke took an early lead in the third go of bareback riding in the CNFR with a score of 72.0 points. (Dan Hubbell/CNFR) [Click to enlarge]

CASPER, Wyo. -- The Missouri Valley College men's rodeo team didn't gain any ground on the leaders Tuesday during the College National Finals Rodeo at Casper, Wyo.

The Vikings picked up 80 points, but only on an interim basis, due to junior Kyle Brennecke's 72.0-point ride in the bareback competition. That put him momentarily in the lead of the third "go" of that event, but only 10 of the 39 entries have completed that round -- so Brennecke's position, and the team points which go with it, may evaporate.

Valley's other bareback rider, junior James Earl Carter, scored 68.5 points on his second go and will wait until Friday to complete his preliminaries. He needs 66.5 points to catch Brennecke, currently in third place overall.

Junior Jake Shaw, who won the first round of steer wrestling, more than doubled his time during the second go Tuesday -- his 8.0 seconds only good for 19th place. His final long go attempt will be Thursday. Shaw suffered a no-score in tie-down roping and, even though he has one more try, is out of medal contention.

Junior Adam Gilchrist finished up his prelims in saddle bronc riding, scoring 53.0 points during the morning slack and getting thrown during the prime-time performance -- giving him only one completed ride for the meet.

The team roping combo of juniors Chance Weldon and Brady Wilson sustained their second miss and will conclude its participation today.

After missing her first throw Sunday, senior Kallie Agre recorded a 3.9-second mark in breakaway roping for 11th place in the second go. In the same event, junior Kate Kimble didn't score in her third and final attempt.

All four Lady Vikings in the goat tying competition were in action Tuesday, two twice. Kimble followed a 15.8-second go with a 12.6 in the third round, while senior Amy Adametz posted scores of 7.4 and 17.1 seconds. Kimble and Adametz currently stand 11th and 12th in the incomplete third go -- but there are 26 contestants who haven't taken their third turn.

Agre didn't score in her second try, but junior Krista Staley did with a 10.5 and will try to make it three for three Thursday. Adametz and Kimble are seventh and eighth in the overall standings, but a top-12 spot will be difficult with 22 competitors remaining who have scored during their first two attempts.

Agre's final preliminary in goat tying is the only action today for the Lady Vikings, who are still searching for their first team points.