The Enchanted State was well-represented during the second of 13 National High School Finals Rodeo performances Monday morning at McGee Park. Following a rather quiet showing Sunday night, Team New Mexico checkered the leaderboard in a multitude of events.
Jesse Clark of Portales put together a first-place run in tie-down roping. Clark's time of 11.344 seconds forced a slight edge over Chris Demases of Texas, who checked in at 11.463 seconds. Colorado's Mitch McAdow was third at 12.72.
Samantha Martinez appeared to enjoy the cozy confines of a venue located mere miles from her hometown of Bloomfield. Martinez produced a third-place run in goat tying, her mark of 9.137 seconds good for a slim lead over fourth-place Kelsey Meek of Arkansas.
The Lone Star State's Tara Schroedter dominated the morning goat tying, using a speedy 7.9 to grab an almost one-second cushion over Wyoming's Brittany Bell.
At Memorial Coliseum, Estancia's Jett Sharp tallied a score of 210 in boys cutting to finish fourth. He was four back of leader Travis Tetrick, who notched a victory for Team Kansas.
Despite a downpour that drenched San Juan County late Sunday night, McGee Park was remarkably dry. In fact, the rain likely helped to minimize dust, which was a Sunday evening staple as swift winds swirled.
Perhaps the most competitive event Monday morning was barrel racing, where less than a half-second separated the top eight riders.
Underscoring the unpredictable nature of a handful of events was the morning finale, bull riding, where so much depends on a favorable draw.
With just four contestants lasting the required eight seconds, Cody Case's 77 set the standard. The Missouri cowboy garnered a seven-point margin over Casey Sullivan and Michael Lane, from Mississippi and Virginia, respectively.
In fourth place was Ohio's Dylan Richard, who scored a 65.
"It's all about the draw," Richard said. "You draw a good bull, you're going to have a good ride."
Corey Hutchinson of Kansas won in bareback, while Oklahoma's Kelsie Chace emerged victorious in breakaway roping and Whitley Miley (Mississippi) did the same in girls cutting.
Kelly Eaves of Missouri grabbed a narrow win in the poles. Chancy Miller's (South Dakota) 66 was good for the top spot in saddle bronc, and Larry Ferreira of California captured first place with a 3.501 in steer wrestling. In team roping, Montana's Ty Erickson and Dalton Tamcke were easy winners at 6.275 seconds.
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