ND contestants wait on NHSFR short round

ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. — A handful of North Dakota contestants are on their way to tonight’s championship short round at the National High School Finals Rodeo.

Others, however, have to wait until this morning’s final second-round performance to see if they’ve made it.

Despite missing on his second-round ride, Richardton’s Dalton Rixen is still seventh in the saddle bronc riding average after his 71-point ride in the first round. That means he’s likely headed to Saturday night’s championship round.

In the bareback riding, Mandan’s Logan Berg is clinging to a top 20 spot. He’s in 17th place going into this morning’s final long round performance.

Likewise, Marion’s Layne Larson is hanging on a top 20 spot in the pole bending. After a 20.713-second run that placed her fourth in Friday night’s performance, Larson is in 16th place but just over two-tenths of a second from falling out of the short round.

Lexus Kelsch, a South Dakota cowgirl who competes in North Dakota, is eighth in the barrel racing average.

Jordyn Schaefer of Des Lacs ranks 14th in breakaway roping.

Friday morning performance

Barrel racing: 8, Ahnna Peterson, Velva, 17.769.

Breakaway roping: 14, Kassie Jo Kautzman, Walcott, 12.09.

Girls cow cutting: 18, Sadie Kieson, Watford City, 194.

Pole bending: 25, Lexus Kelsch, McLaughlin, S.D., 25.814.

Team roping: 7, Jake Herman, Halliday, and Sam Jorgenson, Watford City, 17.6.

No time/score: Tyler Toso, Lisbon, saddle bronc riding.

Friday evening performance

Barrel racing: 12, Samantha Jorgenson, Watford City, 18.316.

Pole bending: 4, Layne Larson, Marion, 20.713.

Tie-down roping: 13, Cameron Morman, Glen Ullin, 19.78.

No time/score: Daltin Berger, Mandan, bareback riding; Kasey Dressler, Richardton, saddle bronc riding; Weston Hartman, Mandan, bareback riding; Keaton Schaffer, Broadus, Mont., steer wrestling; Brittany Cudworth, Warwick, goat tying; Jake Benson, Dunn Center, bull riding.

Tags: sports, nhsfr, rodeo, preps