UW Cowgirls Climb to Second in CNFR Standings

Josie Mousel, of Colman, S.D., has been the story for the University of Wyoming women's team at the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) in Casper, leading the Cowgirls to second place in the nation after two rounds of action.

Mousel, a junior, has scored all 215 team points going into the final round that began Tuesday night. The UW Cowgirl leads the CNFR goat-tying event, having recorded the opening round's top time, and followed that with a split of the second-best time in breakaway roping.

By scoring points in more than one event, Mousel is the runaway national all-around leader. She has those 215 individual points, while runner-up Quincey Morgan-Montoya, of New Mexico Junior College is a distant second at 70 points.

"Josie is obviously in a great spot in the goats and needs to have another good run Wednesday to be in contention for two national titles in the goats and all-around," UW Coach Seth Glause says. "She looks focused and competing at her best."

As a team, the Cowgirls are just 15 points out of taking the national lead. Weatherford College, of Weatherford, Texas, leads with 230 points.

On the men's side, the Cowboys are 11th with 135 points. Clarendon College, in Clarendon, Texas, heads the pack with 400 points, while Weatherford College is chasing with 385 and in the runner-up position.

A pair of UW tie-down ropers went for broke in an attempt to score round points during the first of five night performances Tuesday. The pair were the only UW team members competing in the opener.

Both Treg Thorstensen and Tate Talkington had hopes of reaching Saturday's CNFR championship round, but early rounds scuttled those plans. With a chance to place among the third-round leaders, both had successful ropes, but it will probably not be enough to return to compete against the dozen qualifiers.

Talkington, from Scottsbluff, Neb., had his best run of the week, recording a 9.6 to go along with an opening time of 11.9 seconds, but a no-time in between will leave him short of his goal. Thorstensen, of Lantry, S.D., also had his best showing, stopping the clock in 10.3 seconds, giving him a 42.9 time in the aggregate. He successfully tied three calves this week but, with three more nights of competition left, that may keep him out of the top 12.

Four UW team members will get their third-round appearances Wednesday night.

Mousel attempts to keep her goat tying lead, while Cowgirl teammate Layni Stevens, from St. Lawrence, S.D., will compete in the same event. She will go for round points after suffering a no-time in the second round.

Two Cowboys also are up, including Greybull's Colton Farrow in bareback riding. He has two qualified rides for 155.75 points and needs just another solid ride to reach his first CNFR championship round. Also up is Jacob Wang, of Baker, Mont., who is looking for round points after getting a no-time in the opening round and a 4.9-second run after round two.

Glause sees different scenarios for all of the team members going into the third round. Some team members are in short-go contention, and some will be attempting to take some chances to win the round.

"It's been a great week, and we just need to keep giving a winning effort in the third go," he adds. "It continues to shape up to be an exciting week."