Cowgirls win team title

From left, Nikki Steffes and Sara Mulholland

by Milton Ontiveroz
UW Media Relations

All day long Sarah Mulholland kept telling herself that three-tenths of a second would be tough to overcome. But it was the time she needed to win a national goat tying title.

She did it Saturday night at the College National Finals Rodeo short-go round and it came at the expense of teammate Nikki Steffes.

Coming into the championship round at the Casper Events Center as the two top-ranked goat tiers, Steffes and Mulholland needed to finish in that same order to help secure a national team title for the Cowgirls. And they did, as the UW women won the team championship for the second time in three seasons.

"This one is a little sweeter because of the quality of the women that we have competing for us. We were knocking on the door last year and it would have been nice to have it three years in a row -- I hate to say it -- but they don't come together like this and that's what makes it so special," UW Coach George Howard said. "I'll probably never see another group of girls like this, all at once."

The UW women scored 690 points, while runner-up UNLV had 580.It was a tough task for the two UW teammates during the championship go round. What Mulholland and Steffes faced was that only one of them could win the individual title. But what made it significant is that Steffes, for the third straight season, came into the short-go as the top-seeded goat tier. In the two previous seasons she finished as the national runner-up.

Make it three consecutive years.

Mulholland, a Richland Center, Wis., senior, came from the number two spot Saturday night to edge Steffes for the goat tying title when she had the night's fastest run in 6.8 seconds, making her the only competitor in the finals to put together a sub-seven second run. Added to her time of 20.3 seconds in three previous runs, that gave her an overall time of 27.1 seconds.

All Steffes needed was a seven-second run to win the national title and Mulholland knew that her teammate would come out with determination.

"All day I kept thinking I have to be so quick because three-tenths to beat Nikki was going to be tough," Mulholland said.

She waited at the back fence as she watched her teammate enter the arena. Steffes came down in her usual quick pace. She had a clean dismount, and then the goat took over. It moved quickly in the opposite direction just as Steffes was ready to reach for it.

At that point Mulholland thought she had a chance to win.

Precious seconds clicked off as Steffes valiantly tried to tie the goat, but by the time the clock stopped, 7.5 seconds had elapsed. Her dream of finishing as an individual event champion was gone. She quickly left the arena, clearly disappointed.

The emotions Mulholland emitted were the complete opposite. She put her hands over her mouth and looked in disbelief to see her name atop the leader board.

"I can't even explain it. It's been my dream since I was in high school to be a national champion. This was my last chance and I did it. There is no better feeling than this," a beaming Mulholland said outside the arena.

She was quick to credit teammates Steffes, a senior from Vale, S.D., and TaNaye Carroll from LaJunta, Colo., another senior. Mulholland and her teammates were 1-2-3 in the regional goat tying final standings this season.

"The three of us have been tying against each other all year. And when we got here we already knew that we had tied against the best. We just pushed each all year long," she said. "We all shared in this national championship. We three girls love each other. It's an awesome team to be a part of. Just an awesome feeling."

For her first two college seasons, Mulholland competed for Central Wyoming before transferring to UW. The Cowgirls were coming off a 2007 national title and a year ago, the team was leading until the short-go. The Cowgirls finished fourth.This year's championship is UW's fifth in the program's history.

Mulholland said being a part of the program and to win an individual and national title is why she came to UW.

"The only way that it could have been better is to make it back in the breakaway. What a better way to go out. It can't get any better than this," she said smiling. "This makes up for last year. Getting this win in my last time is unexplainable. I'm going to sleep with my saddle tonight."

Even though Steffes finished second in goat tying, it wasn't the night she expected. She had a tough go in her other event earlier in the evening.

Steffes missed out in breakaway roping -- twice. Coming in at the number six spot among the 12 ropers, Steffes threw long on her first attempt in what would have been a sub-four-second time. She was packing a second rope and tried to track the calf, but it got away at the end of the arena. Steffes had to throw in a hurry to stop the clock, but it wasn't a good one as the calf ran through it.

However, Steffes' week-long effort in three events propelled her to her second all-around title in three years with 395 points. Coincidently, those two all-around titles have come in the two seasons that the UW Cowgirls have been national champions. Steffes will go down as arguably the greatest all-around Cowgirl in the program's history and is the school's all-time leading scorer. She won the regional all-around title in each of her four years at UW.

"I don't know if I deserve the all-around title because of my performance tonight," Steffes said later in the evening. "But it does feel good. Being any type of champion is an honor."

Steffes will return to UW next year and compete in rodeo again, but her points will not count in the Cowgirls' team standings. She is granted another year of eligibility because she is a region student director. Steffes will complete work as a double major in molecular biology/medical microbiology.

It was the goat tying event that propelled the Cowgirls to their national title. Mulholland won the round, and then she and Steffes added points in the average.

Merritt Smith was the lone UW Cowboy to advance to the short-go round. The Gillette sophomore scored 71.5 points on "Elvis" to give him eighth place overall in the average.

Cowgirls one step closer to national title

by Milton Ontiveroz
UW Media Relations

CASPER -- The University of Wyoming women’s team solidified its chances for a College National Finals Rodeo championship when Sarah Mulholland put herself in contention to win an individual goat tying title.

And she’ll challenge Cowgirl teammate Nikki Steffes for that honor.

With those two coming in ranked first and second for Saturday night’s short go in the Casper Events Center, the UW women have the opportunity to win the CNFR championship for the second time in three years.

The Cowgirls opened up a triple-digit lead on runner-up UNLV with 415 total points. The Lady Rebels have 300.

Mulholland, a Richland Center, Wis., senior had Friday night’s best time in goat tying with her top mark of the week at 6.6 seconds. Her three-round time of 20.3 is just three-tenths of a second behind Steffes, who heads into the short go round as the national leader. Central Wyoming College’s Jessica Picchietti is third at 20.9.

Mulholland’s effort helped the Cowgirls maintain their overall national lead for the second consecutive night. She and Steffes will go head-to-head in the evening’s sixth event of the evening.

Steffes has been the national runner-up the past two seasons, and both previous times she’s come into the short go as the leader. And both times she was second by a tenth of a second; two years ago she was the runner-up to UW teammate Kayla Nelson.

If the Cowgirls are to win the national title, they will have three chances to score points, making them one of the few teams with that many opportunities. Steffes will enter Saturday’s short go sixth in the breakaway roping average despite one double-digit time earlier in the week. She’s also in line to win the national all-around title, the same honor she won in 2007. She currently is the all-around leader.

UW Coach George Howard called Mulholland’s effort “monumental” for the team’s overall performance.

“She’s just three-tenths of a second behind Nikki. Sarah will push Nikki tomorrow night and Nikki will push Sara as well,” Howard said. “It will make it a real fast competition.”

But it was Mulholland’s night, whose goat tying times got lower each round. She admitted that it was her most important run ever.

“I just hope I keep this up one more night. Hopefully, I will be in the perfect position to go in and be able to win it. It really doesn’t matter where I’m at tonight, but it matters where I’m at Saturday night, I think I’m in a good position to be in the running,” an exhausted Mulholland said. “I knew this was a pretty big run for me because I’m almost done tying goats for my career. So this was probably the most important run tonight, but tomorrow night will be just as big. This one had a lot more meaning to it.”

Mulholland says she knows she has a chance to win an individual title, but she’s also looking at bigger things -- being a part of a national-winning team. And just like last season, the UW Cowgirls enter the short go as the overall national leader. But a year ago the UW women faltered in the finals and had to settle for fourth place.

“Our chances look good. We need more go round points and we have to do well in the short round. We need to stay focused and keep putting consistent rounds together,” Mulholland said. “I think it’s good to be number one right now, but I want to be number one when it’s all said and done. Hopefully tomorrow night I’m saying the same thing.”

Only one UW Cowboy qualified for Saturday’s championship round.

UW saddle bronc rider Merritt Smith made the short go with a three-ride point total of 206 points. The Gillette sophomore tied for ninth in the average. He had to wait two days before knowing his fate. He finished his three rides Wednesday.

The remaining UW team members all had disappointing final runs Friday evening.

Troy Brandemuehl, Gordon, Neb., senior, had his tough week come to an end with a no time in steer wrestling. The steer dipped its head just as Brandemuehl went for the horns, sending the UW Cowboy over the top.

UW’s two roping teams both missed their steers and had no times.

Chad Nelson, a Buffalo, S.D., senior and partner Beau Miller of Gillette College had a chance for a short go bid having roped a pair earlier in the week. But for the first time this week, Nelson missed the steer’s horns.

Tyler Viles, a Cody senior, also missed the head when he and partner Jared Bilby of Eastern Wyoming College suffered a no time.

Wheatland junior Kacy Hatten’s first CNFR appearance came to an end with her final breakaway roping event. And it ended the way it began -- with a miss. In fact, Hatten had three consecutive no times.

Before Friday night’s rodeo, the only UW men’s team to win the national championship was honored. The 1961 contingent of Leon Cook, Jerry Kaufman, Jim Moore, Frank Shepperson, Al Smith and Fred Wilson were all on hand for recognition honors. They won the national title that season in San Francisco’s old Cow Palace.

What made this team unique is that every member of that championship team were all Wyoming natives. They will be inducted into UW’s Hall of Fame this fall.

Cowgirls take CNFR lead

by Milton Ontiveroz
UW Media Relations

For the third consecutive year, it appears Nikki Steffes will head into Saturday night's College National Finals Rodeo short go-round as the overall leader.

This time, she hopes it's a different outcome than her back-to-back national runner-up finishes the two previous seasons. And the UW women are the overall national leaders as a team. The Cowgirls have 370 points with just one night of competition left to end the third go. Previous leader UNLV is now second with 330 points.

"It's an honor right now to be the leaders and I just hope we're still there at the end," UW Coach George Howard said.

Needing a 7.1-second time to reclaim the overall national goat tying lead, the UW senior nailed her best effort of the week on her third and final attempt Thursday night with a stunning 6.2-second run. Her three-run cumulative time of 20 seconds-flat automatically puts her into the short go in two events. She more than likely will advance in breakaway roping -- an event she completed the previous night.

Steffes, a molecular biology/medical microbiology senior from Vale, S.D., has nearly a full second lead over Central Wyoming College's Jessica Picchietti, who finished tying her three goats in 20.9 seconds. She was the only UW team member to compete Thursday evening.The week's top 12 individual times and scores will compete for national honors Saturday night.

Steffes came into Thursday night's competition in the Casper Events Center knowing the goat she drew was one that had several no-times earlier in the week. Riding her horse down the arena, Steffes quickly dismounted and made a bead on the tied goat that broke sharply to the UW Cowgirl's left. Without missing a step, Steffes was on top of the goat, throwing it down and, with precision, tied the legs with her usual fast hands. A jubilant Steffes pumped her fist as the Events Center crowd roared its approval.

"I did not draw a very good goat tonight and I was just confident that he would be good. It was a good run, I thought, and it mostly worked out so that I could win the round," she said.

She is hoping teammate Sarah Mulholland also can move up the standings in the event. Mulholland will complete her third and final attempt Friday night. Earlier in the week, the Richland Center, Wis., senior supplanted Steffes as the top goat tyer after the second round.

"I'm just going for first place Saturday and I'm confident that it will finally work out this year," a smiling Steffes said.

If Mulholland qualifies Friday night, it will give the Cowgirls three chances to score points and a chance to win a national title. The team entered Thursday night's competition in third place, just 55 points behind first-place UNLV.

Steffes also had her final barrel racing run, completing the three turns in another personal best time of the week, 14.26 seconds. Her second-round time of 15.29 seconds will keep her out of the short go. She finished the week with a three-round time of 44.18 seconds.

"Coming in, I knew there probably wasn't a chance that I'd make the short go in barrel racing after my run in the second round," she said. "After that run, I just wanted to place deep in this round because I knew that I wouldn't be able to come back in the short go. I just wanted to do the best that I could tonight. It was a really good night for me all the way around. I couldn't ask for anything more."

The busy evening propelled Steffes to the all-around lead with 290 points through three women's events. She has 290 points -- 70 better than UNLV's Kassi Venturacci. Steffes won the CNFR all-around title in 2007 during the Cowgirls' national title run.

Cowgirl tennis signs five student-athletes

University of Wyoming head tennis coach Kati Gyulai announced on Wednesday the addition of five student-athletes to attend the University of Wyoming beginning in the fall of 2009.

“We are very excited with the new additions to the program,” said Gyulai. “They will each add talent and athleticism to our team. I feel that this is one of the most talented recruiting classes and as a team we are eager to move forward with the program. It will definitely make us more competitive in the Mountain West Conference.”

Here are the signees.
Szandi (Sandi) Kovacs, 5-4, Esztergom, Hungary (Harsányi János Föiskola): A top-ranked junior singles and doubles play over the past several years. Kovacs was ranked sixth in the nation in the Under 18 singles and a member of the national team. She was a finalist in the G3 ITF Doubles tournament and a semifinalist in several G3 ITF Singles tournaments. She is the daughter of Zoltan and Marianna Kovacs, and has two siblings.

Paloma Navarro, 5-8, Tenerife, Canary Islands (La Laguna University): A two-time Toreno de Reyes National Tournament Champion (Under 16 and Under 18), along with winning the Circuito Isla de Tenerife Regional Under 16 Championship in 2005. In that same year, she won the Tenerife Provincial Senior and Canary Island Regional Senior Championships. More recently in 2008, Navarro won the II Torneo Regional Under 20 Tournament, while being the runner-up at the Tenerife Provincial Senior Championship, II Torneo-Master Regional Under 20 Tournament and the Master XIV Circuito Isla de Tenerife Regional Senior Championship. In 2007, she came away with a second place finish in doubles play of the Spanish National Championship. Navarro selected Wyoming over several schools. She is the daughter of Fafael Navarro and Teresa Montes de Oca.

Saša (Sasha) Nemcová, 5-7, Bratislava, Slovakia (Comenius University): A two-time Bratislava regional champion in doubles play, she also earned the top spot at the grade A National Tournament in singles. She also earned the runner-up spot at the Masters National tournament and twice took second at the Bratislava Regional Championships. In singles play, Nemcova placed second at the Bratislava Championships and was a third place finisher three times in the same tournament and once at the Masters National tournament. She is the daughter of Peter Nemec and Elena Nemcova.

Simona Synkova, 5-7, Bratislava, Slovakia (Bratislavská College): One of the top ranked junior singles and doubles player in Slovakia. In 2007, she earned the runner-up spot in junior singles play and women’s doubles at the Bratislava Region Championships. She also finished third in women’s singles play in that same tournament. The previous year, Synkova finished first in the Class B juniors tournament in doubles and Class B women’s tournament in singles, while earning third place honors at the Europe Junior Tournament in Under 16 doubles. She is the daughter of Oldrich Synek and Maria Synkova.

Kim van Ginkel, 5-6, Barneveld, Netherlands (Northern Arizona): van Ginkel comes to Wyoming after spending the past two seasons at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. During her sophomore campaign, she went 7-13 in singles play mainly playing at the number one position, while recording a 5-2 record in Big Sky play. In her first year at NAU, she went 7-3 overall and 6-1 in conference play which included a 3-0 mark at the number three position. That season, van Ginkel also went 9-3 in doubles play. She was named a Golden Eagle Scholar-Athlete and earned Big Sky Player of the Week honors during past two years. She graduated from Johannes Fontanus College in 2006. Placed in the Top eight in age brackets 12, 14, 16, 18 with her highest finish of third in the 18 and under bracket. In 2005, she finished first at the Haren International Tournament. Played for LTC Barneveld Club Team for seven years and the SHOT Zeist club team for three years. She is the daughter of Jan and Suze van Ginkel.

Steffes wins Walt Garrison Award

Aaron Ontiveroz Photo

University of Wyoming all-around cowgirl Nikki Steffes accepts the Walt Garrison Top Hand Award during Tuesday's performance at the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper. The award is for character and leadership among other criteria. Former NFL All-Pro and professional rodeo competitor Walt Garrison stands to the right of Steffes.

by Milton Ontiveroz

UW Media Relations

The awards keep piling up for the University of Wyoming's top all-around rodeo team member.

Nikki Steffes is the recipient of the Walt Garrison Top Hand Award. She was honored Monday night at a College National Finals Rodeo dinner in Casper and received the award during Tuesday's night performance.

Steffes, a molecular biology/medical microbiology senior from Vale, S.D., and UW will each receive $2,500.

The Garrison Award is given annually to the individual who exemplifies the qualities of initiative, loyalty, tenacity, commitment, honesty, perseverance, integrity and leadership. The award is named for Walt Garrison, the former pro football player for the Dallas Cowboys, who was on hand to present the award to Steffes.

This is the 10th year the award has been given during the CNFR. Steffes is the first UW team member to win the honor.

Students are nominated by their respective regional representatives, with the winner being chosen by the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Board of Directors.

"I was honored to just be selected from my region," Steffes says. "Then the nominees at the national level were just amazing. I am really honored to be selected as the national recipient."
Steffes, who made the President's Honor Roll every semester at UW, carried a perfect 4.0 GPA during her four-year collegiate rodeo career.

According the rodeo association's announcement of her award, Steffes was noted for her work ethic, ability to relate to others and leadership qualities that have all earned "her the respect from college rodeo coaches and family members, and most important, her peers. She is the epitome of a true all-around cowgirl."

Steffes has qualified for the CNFR all four years during her UW career. She is the school's all-time leading individual scorer, winning the regional all-around title all four seasons. She has won the regional barrel racing title all four years and was the goat tying champion three times.

At the CNFR, Steffes won the national all-around title in 2007 and has been the national goat tying runner-up the past two seasons. Going into the third round of goat tying competition at this week's CNFR, Steffes is third in the average in her specialty event and is sixth in the all-around points chase.

"A lot of people have helped me along the way. My parents made sure I got the opportunities to learn about rodeo from great people," a humble Steffes says. "I have a really supportive family as well. No matter what college you are from, coaches and contestants from other regions are always supportive of one another. That's what makes college rodeo so unique and special."

Earlier this season, Steffes said she would like to give professional rodeo a try before returning to graduate school to either become a dentist or a medical doctor. As the regional student director, the UW senior will return next fall to compete in the rodeo arena once again. But because her eligibility has run out, her individual points cannot be used for the Cowgirls' team.

After receiving the Garrison Award, Steffes was quick to answer what award she has not won during her illustrious rodeo career.

"A national goat tying award would be nice," she said smiling.

Mulholland takes over goat tying lead

UW senior Sarah Mulholland

by Milton Ontiveroz
UW Media Relations

CASPER -- A University of Wyoming Cowgirl is still the College National Finals Rodeo goat tying leader, but it's not Nikki Steffes. She's been replaced atop the leaderboard by teammate Sarah Mulholland.

After Tuesday's second slack round, Mulholland took advantage of the early performers' higher-than-normal times; especially to the overall leaders, to tie for the overall goat tying lead with a two-round time of 13.7 seconds. She recorded her best time of the week at 6.7 seconds, the fourth-best time of the second round.

She is tied with Central Wyoming College's Jessica Picchietti for the CNFR lead.

Mulholland entered the day sitting seventh, but took advantage of some frisky, jumping goats that caused contestants to scramble in attempt to tie them down. That caused two of her teammates -- Steffes and especially TaNaye Carroll -- to falter down the stretch. Steffes dropped to third in the average.

Mulholland had a steady run and then waited patiently near the fence, watching the final six women complete their turns.

"I ran at my goat harder this time and it just felt smoother than yesterday's run," the Richland Center, Wis., senior said. "She is not thinking about making Saturday's short go and is not putting too much emphasis on being the early national leader.

"I still have one more round to go before I can count on making it back," she said. "As you can see -- like in breakaway roping -- it really doesn't matter until the end or until you make it into the short round. But I am happy that I'm still in the running and I'm just trying to stay calm and be nonchalant about it."

She was referring to breakaway roping, where she had a no-time on her second attempt following a smooth first round.

Both Steffes and Carroll had the same reactions after their runs. They were down and left immediately after their performances.

Steffes, who held a slim lead entering the second run, came down the arena on her horse and dismounted cleanly, but as she ran up on the goat, the animal suddenly made a sharp move to the UW Cowgirl's left. Steffes lost some momentum and hurried to get the goat down. She faltered on the tie, leaving her with a 7.5-second mark. Her two-round time is a tenth of a second behind Mulholland at 13.8.

Carroll's chances of reaching the short go ended right after Mulholland made her successful run. The La Junta, Colo., senior tied hers in 7.8 seconds, but the goat kicked out of its tie.

Steffes had a rough morning competing in another event. She took a step back in barrel racing when she recorded 15.29 seconds as compared to a top-10 time of 14.63 the day before. Her two-run time is 29.92.

A visibly upset Steffes said a poor arena dirt floor led to her downfall when her horse, "Doc," stepped into a hole around the first and third barrels.

"The ground was really trashy. I felt my horse couldn't have done anything differently -- the ground just wasn't very good," she said. "There were just a lot of holes out there and my horse got stuck in a couple of them."

Merritt Smith sure looked like an old man walking gingerly with a noticeable hitch as he left the Casper Events Center arena after getting thrown off a wild bucking bronc.

But instead of showing pain, the UW Cowboy from Gillette had a big grin. He had just ridden "Spring Creek" to 74.5 points. With just one more ride Wednesday, the UW sophomore has a two-round score of 144.5 points, giving him a great shot of reaching Saturday's short go round. He was fifth in the round and sitting sixth in the average going into Tuesday's performance.

"I came off pretty rough on him and that's not the way you want to do it. It kind of sored me up and it looked kind of funny," Smith said behind the bucking chutes. He landed squarely on his behind after riding the bronc to the whistle. He was dumped awkwardly before the pickup men could reach him. "Definitely happy to have another one down and it went a little better, anyway."

Smith said "Spring Creek," usually a bareback horse, was added to the saddle bronc mix for Tuesday's slack competition.

"He was a really good horse. I was hoping that it was a good score and I thought I put everything together, but you never know what the judges kind of want to do. I was glad what they gave me," Smith said. "I can't complain about my first two rides. I've been riding alright and I couldn't ask for more."

UW team roper Chad Nelson and his partner, Beau Miller of Gillette College, remained in the average with their best round of the CNFR. They stopped the clock with a sub-10-second time of 9.7 seconds. That made up for a 24.7-second performance the day before. Their two-round time is 34.4, but that is deceiving as many other roping teams have recorded no-times.

"We kind of had to make up some time. We had to be a lot faster and we ended up with a clean run," Nelson, a Buffalo, S.D., senior, said. "If we rope our next steer smooth, we should be in the short go. There are a lot of teams going out of this right now, missing, and lot of teams going out of the average. We just got to rope smart and let the other teams mess up."

He is the younger brother of Kayla Nelson, who won back-to-back CNFR goat tying titles for UW in 2006 and 2007.

It was not a good slack morning for four UW teammates.

Wheatland senior Jason Hubbard gutted out his second tie down roping run Tuesday morning, recording a no-time when the loop slipped over the calf's head. He is roping left-handed because of a severely separated right shoulder suffered earlier this month in a vehicle accident.

Another Wheatland product, junior Kacy Hatten, had another no-time in breakaway roping.
Bulldogger Troy Brandemuehl had a tough second round in steer wrestling when he took a no-time to go along with a 16.9-second effort in the opening round. His steer broke to the left and the Gordon, Neb., senior had to play catch up. He had a good dismount and went for the pull, but slipped off the inside horn and the steer's head went out of his grasp.

Header Tyler Viles, a Cody senior, did his part in team roping, getting his loop around the steer's horns. But teammate Jared Bilby of Eastern Wyoming College missed the heels. He had to rebuild his loop, but missed on his second attempt, leaving the pair with a no-time.

Cowgirls get going in goat tying

UW senior Nikki Steffes

by Milton Ontiveroz
UW Media Relations

Halfway through Monday's College National Finals Rodeo slack competition, the University of Wyoming Cowgirls team appeared to be struggling to even stay in competition. Then the goats came into the house.

UW's senior trio of Nikki Steffes, TaNaye Carroll and Sarah Mulholland set the early pace in the competition as they came away with fast times to all move into the goat tying's top tier.

All three put early pressure on the rest of the field. Steffes was up first in the competition while Carroll and Mulholland were sixth and seventh, respectively. Coach George Howard liked the draw because he wants the rest of the field to chase his team members.

"I thought it was a good way to look at it. I think coming in, it could seem a little strange for us. All three of us got it done and the rest have to come get us now," Carroll, a senior from La Junta, Colo., said. "I think definitely, Nikki being first right now, puts a lot of pressure on all the goat tyers."

Steffes, a senior from Vale, S.D., is used to putting pressure on the field after entering the CNFR's short go the past two years in first place. She's been the national runner-up both seasons.

As this week's first goat tying competitor, Steffes proved that she has to be considered a contender for the third straight season. She had a clean run and recorded the day's fastest time at 6.3 seconds. It really didn't bother her to be the first competitor up because she's been here all four seasons.

"It felt really good and I felt I could have gotten off my horse a little earlier, but I'm not going to complain. It's a good way to start the week," Steffes said. "I really don't remember my run in my mind. I was pretty focused on the moment. It worked and that's the main thing."

A few minutes later, Carroll had another clean run with her 7.2-second effort to leave her tied for 11th place overall. And immediately following, Mulholland was even better, clocking in at 7-flat, tied for seventh place.

After struggling the past couple of seasons in this competition at the CNFR, Mulholland was just glad to get a time in.

"I have a time. I'm happy. It's the first time in four years," Mulholland, a senior from Richland Center, Wis., said with a chuckle outside the arena. "The difference this year is that I've finally made a good run. I really didn't want to think about the past. I just had some freak things happen to me before."

Steffes was the busiest UW competitor Monday, competing in all three women's events.

Earlier, Steffes completed three sharp turns in the barrel racing competition -- about 15 minutes into Monday morning's slack competition. Her time of 14.63 seconds put her 10th overall after the first round of competition.

"After the first round last year I was 26th, so this is way better," she said smiling.

Steffes' chances of staying in the breakaway average improved on her second attempt. Everything was in place for a clean run when the calf ran straight, broke slightly to the left, but Steffes' horse, "Doc" stayed on him as the Cowgirl managed to stop the clock in 3.4 seconds for a two-head time of 15.1. She is seventh in the average after two rounds of competition. Steffes also is a threat in the all-around competition, which she won two years ago.

After moving into breakaway roping's top 10 the day before, Mulholland's chances of making Saturday's short go all but ended when she missed on her second run during Monday's slack.
The calf broke out of the box cleanly, running a straight line, but just as the senior was ready to let go of her rope, the calf ducked sharply to the left.

Cowboy Jason Hubbard has to be either the toughest competitor at the CNFR or a glutton for punishment. The agricultural education senior from Wheatland came into the competition with a badly separated right shoulder -- the same side that he flings his loop in tie down roping.

Hubbard was involved in a vehicle accident earlier this month near Elk Mountain, but has gutted it out as he attempts to compete in his final CNFR. But the pain was evident as Hubbard failed to tie his calf in the required 25-second time allowed.

Coming into the arena, Hubbard's injured shoulder hung much lower than his good side. He roped left-handed, something he's never done during his four-year collegiate career. Even though he's a natural southpaw, he ropes with his right hand.

Hubbard was slow getting his loop off and on the dismount he tried to grab the rope one-handed on the tied calf, but the rope whipped across his face, putting a long burn from his left ear to the bottom of his chin. He had trouble lifting the calf as the pain on his face was noticeable, struggling to tie the three legs as time ran out.

"The one that ain't broke failed me," Hubbard said explaining how he couldn't grab the rope as he ran toward the calf who scooted away from him. "It can't get any worse than this. It's pretty tough and it dang sure hurts, but I'll be back tomorrow morning chasing another one. I ain't lying, this injury is really hampering me.

The UW men have a pair of team roping teams competing this week.

Regional champions Tyler Viles, a finance senior from Cody, and partner Jared Bilby of Eastern Wyoming College put themselves in contention with a 12.4-second effort. Viles got his loop around the steer's horns, but Bilby only managed to tie one leg, giving the pair a five-second penalty. They are in 14th place at the end of the first round.

The duo of Chad Nelson, an agricultural business senior from Buffalo, S.D., and team roping partner Beau Miller from Gillette College had a time of 24.5 seconds. As the header, Nelson did his job, but Miller failed to get his loop around the steer's heels. He had to rebuild his loop for a second chance. The pair is in 23rd place.

Troy Brandemuehl had a good shot at a decent steer wrestling time, but he slipped over the horns after dismounting his horse. The biology senior from Gordon, Neb., scrambled to his feet and grabbed the steer again, but couldn't get a good grip as a struggled to turn the animal over leaving him with a double-digit time of 16.9 seconds.

It was another tough day for bareback rider Bucky Dickson. The Sequim, Wash., sophomore missed out, failing to mark when his heels were not above "Tomcat's" shoulders exiting the chute. The day before Dickson scored just 58.5 points on his first ride.

Mulholland leads way for UW at CNFR

by Milton Ontiveroz
UW Media Relations

All this rain is making the College National Finals Rodeo calves faster than normal.

Or it seemed that way to University of Wyoming breakaway roper Sarah Mulholland, as she sat in the Casper Events Center stands Sunday afternoon. She watched 48 other competitors try and stop the clock in the first round of CNFR competition before her turn late in the day.

She observed half the contestants missing their calves and quite a few more recording higher than normal times in what is shaping up to be a fast competition. She is among the top 10 after the first round when the "Broncs, Bulls and Breakaway" event began college rodeo's biggest show. Mulholland recorded a 3.4-second time.

"The calves are moving and people are having trouble getting out quick enough out of the box. I really had to get out and get my shot," Mulholland said. "I really don't know why they are so fast this year. Maybe it's all the green grass they're eating caused by all this rain. It's important for us not to break the barrier and be prepared to take a good shot with these fast calves."

The Cowgirls, who won the national title two years ago and finished fourth in 2008, have high hopes this week to win the school's fifth team championship. But Mulholland was the only UW Cowgirl to have a good opening round.

Sunday's two afternoon performances marked the end of the first round for the roughstock riders and also the women's breakaway ropers. The first of two days of slack competition began Monday morning. Nightly performances begin Tuesday.

Mulholland, a nursing senior from Richland Center, Wis., was all business before and after her turn.

"I have a goal and I haven't met it yet. I want to win a national title," she said with a serious look on her face. "I have to stay mentally tough and I'm just glad to get one down. I just tried to stay focused after watching all afternoon. I have to remember I'm just here to have fun."

It was a shaky start for four-time regional all-around champion Nikki Steffes, who had to scramble to get a second chance after missing on her first breakaway roping attempt.
The molecular biology/medical microbiology senior from Vale, S.D., came out of the box throwing and managed an accurate attempt, but the loop skidded over the calf's head. Luckily she was packing a second rope. She quickly built a second loop and stopped the clock in 11.7 seconds, leaving her in 21st place.

"I'm really not sure how I missed on my first loop, it just didn't work," Steffes said. "It's the first round and I'm just glad I caught him with my second loop. There is a lot of rodeo left this week. Whenever there is an opportunity to carry two ropes I will."

Merritt Smith was second-guessing himself, wishing he was better prepared for his first saddle bronc ride.

The animal science sophomore from Gillette notched his first successful ride of the CNFR, taking "Howdie Doodie" to the eight-second buzzer for 70 points, putting him 14th overall.

"Hey, 70 points works all right for me. Just being in the running and getting one down is all I'm looking for right now," he said as he removed tape from his heavily bandaged forearm. "Here at the CNFR, it's an average competition not a one-head round. I'm just happy to get one in the books."

His first-round score left him behind the overall leaders, but with two more successful rides later in the week could propel the UW sophomore to Saturday's final round. The individuals with the top 12 scores and times among the men and women competitors advance to the short go.
Smith said "Howdie Doodie" was a good horse, but should have been better prepared to ride him.

"I didn't know a whole lot about him. I guess I should have found out a little more about him before I got on," he said, smiling. "I'm just happy to get one down at this point."

Bronc rider Bucky Dickson scored a low 58.5 points and was hampered when he nearly fell off the right side of "War & Peace." The kinesiology sophomore from Sequim, Wash., had a decent ride going about three seconds into his turn when he nearly was bucked off. He managed to regain his balance, but the momentum cost him a chance to score better. He is 28th in the competition.

Earlier in the afternoon, Kacy Hatten, making her first CNFR appearance, had a no time in breakaway roping. The agricultural communications junior from Wheatland got off a clean throw, but the loop slipped right through the calf's entire body.

The remaining UW men's and women's team members will compete in both slack rounds.

Shanklin earns All-America honors

UW senior Jake Shanklin

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.— Wyoming senior Jake Shanklin earned his first outdoor All-America honor with his 10th-place finish in the hammer throw on Friday at the NCAA Track and field Championships.


It was again Shanklin’s second throw of 207-feet, 11 inches that earned him his third career All-American honor, two of which have come in the 35-pound weight throw during the indoor seasons. His efforts on Friday were not enough to qualify him for the finals and a chance for three more throws. The championship went to Virginia Tech's, Marcel Lomnicky with a throw of 235-6.

“We are very proud of Jake and what he has accomplished while at Wyoming. Being a three-time All-American is no easy feat,” said assistant coach Paul Barrett. “The hammer throw is a very technical event that Jake has mastered and not bad for never competing in the event until college.

"He competed very hard today and had a tough break on his third throw that would have given him the opportunity to have three more throws and a couple more spots higher in the rankings. Once he released the hammer his toe just barely touched the edge of the ring, thus not counting his 217 throw. Jake will go down as one of the best to ever compete for the Brown and Gold."

Shanklin will have yet another opportunity to compete in the hammer throw, when he travels to the USA Championships in Eugene, Ore., June 25-28.

Shanklin qualifies for hammer finals

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. —The University of Wyoming track and field team had two senior Cowboys competing in the first day of the NCAA Championships, with Jake Shanklin moving on in the hammer throw, while Mark Korir competed in the 3,000 meter steeplechase.

Shanklin’s throw of 210-feet, 9 inches, was good enough for 10th place, which will qualify him for the finals on Friday. It was his second throw of the day that catapulted him into the top 12 for a shot at the national championship.

“This round is almost more stressful than the finals,” said assistant coach Paul Barrett. “The pack is really tight and Jake had some bug throws in warm-ups, so it shows that he can unload a bomb on Friday.”

Korir ran his last race for the University of Wyoming track and field team after a lightning delay postponed the race more than two hours.

Korir, one of the greatest distance runners in school history finished with a time of 8 minutes, 49.60 seconds in the 3,000-meter steeplechase ,which is his personal best and good for fourth-best all-time in Wyoming history. He ran in the first of two heats and finished 10th in his heat and 16th overall. The top 14 qualified for the finals that will be run on Friday, Korir was only .82 seconds behind the last qualifier heading into the finals.

“Not the best way to cap off his career, but I can’t say enough about this kid and the career he has had here at Wyoming,” said assistant coach Randy Cole. “He gave it everything he had and I am proud to have had the opportunity to have coached him the three years he was here.”

Shanklin will compete on Friday at 11 a.m. (MT). Results can be found at http://www.ncaa.com/.

UW ready to challenge at CNFR

UW photo
Cowgirl Sarah Mulholland competes in barrel racing.

by Milton Ontiveroz
UW Media Relations

One team had a dominating season, while the other had a steady performance. But there's no doubt about it, both the University of Wyoming rodeo teams have one common goal: To win the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) championship.

College rodeo's biggest event -- the CNFR -- begins Sunday with the "Bulls, Broncs & Breakaway" matinee at 1 p.m. in the Casper Events Center. A second performance featuring the three men's roughstock events and the one women's timed competition is at 4 p.m.

Two days of slack, with each of the nearly 400 contestants competing, begins Monday and Tuesday at 7 a.m. The first of five nightly public performances is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, and the championship finals, featuring the top 12 competitors in each event, is June 20.

As the CNFR's biggest draw -- because Casper is hosting the CNFR for the 11th consecutive year -- the "home team" UW squads have high expectations, especially the Cowgirls. They enter the week-long event as the nation's second best team in total points.

The UW women, who in a span of two years have won 18 of 20 regional rodeos, completely dominated the regular season, scoring a school-record 5,925 points to win the team title for the third straight year. They finished just 131 points behind Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo in the final national team point standings.

The Cowgirls won the CNFR team title in 2007 and were fourth a year ago. With basically the same lineup intact with one added team member this year, the Cowgirls are considered one of the contending teams.

As for the UW men, the Cowboys had a steady season, finishing second in the region to perennial front-runner Central Wyoming College. Both the UW men's and women's teams will take a full contingent of competitors to the CNFR.

"I expect good things from both teams," veteran UW Coach George Howard said. "Like I keep telling them, you are all in contention and you all are capable of winning."

The UW women enter the CNFR with some impressive performers led by the senior trio of Nikki Steffes, Sarah Mulholland and TaNaye Carroll. Steffes, who won the national all-around title during the team's championship run, won both the regional barrel racing and goat tying titles this past season. The microbiology/medical microbiology senior from Vale, S.D., has been the national goat tying runner-up the past two seasons, finishing second twice by a mere tenth-of-a-second.

UW's all-time scoring leader, Steffes comes into the college finals ranked second nationally in the women's all-around, barrel racing and goat tying standings -- all compiled during the regular rodeo season. She won the regional all-around title during her four-year UW career.

Mulholland captured the breakaway roping title, giving the UW women a clean sweep of the three regional women's events this season. The nursing student from Richland Center, Wis., also was third in goat tying.

And the third member of the high-scoring trio, Carroll, kinesiology senior from La Junta, Colo., was the goat tying regional runner-up.

Those three, along with newcomer, Kacy Hatten, an agricultural communications junior from Wheatland, will give the UW women seven chances in three events to score points, the most among all women's teams competing at the CNFR.

"I'm not worried one bit about our women's team, but I know we need luck on our side, too," Howard said.

The UW men also will take a full team to the CNFR. Competing are Troy Brandemuehl, a wildlife biology senior from Gordon, Neb., in steer wrestling; Bucky Dickson, a kinesiology sophomore from Sequim, Wash., in bareback riding; Jason Hubbard, an agriculture senior from Wheatland, in tie down roping; a pair of team ropers, Chad Nelson, an agricultural business senior from Buffalo, S.D., and Tyler Viles, a finance senior from Cody; and Merritt Smith, an animal science sophomore from Gillette, in saddle bronc riding.

Two Cowboys won regional titles this year: Smith in saddle bronc riding and Viles in team roping. Nelson was the regional runner-up in team roping behind his teammate; both are headers. Brandemuehl finished second in the regional bulldogging competition.

"I like that we have a nice balance among this group of guys," Howard said. The Cowboys have at least one competitor in each men's event except bull riding.

He says both teams come into the CNFR healthy except for Hubbard, who suffered a separated shoulder in an automobile accident two weeks ago. That injury could hamper his performance.

The UW men are seeking their first CNFR title since 1961.

Shanklin, Korir set for NCAAs

The University of Wyoming track and field teams will send two Cowboys to the NCAA Championships beginning Wednesday and continuing through Saturday at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark.

Seniors Jake Shanklin and Mark Korir will be competing for the last time for the Brown and Gold on Wednesday, looking to qualify for the finals that will be Friday. The top 12 in the hammer throw and the top 14 in the 3,000-meter steeplechase will move on to the finals.

Shanklin, in the hammer throw, is currently ranked 10th out of 25 individuals with his personal best toss of 219-feet, 11 inches, which ranks third in UW history.

“He is a seasoned veteran and I am just trying to keep him fresh for this weekend,” said assistant coach Paul Barrett. “Jake just has to do what he has done all year in order to move onto the finals on Friday.”

Shanklin has earned All-American status twice during his career, both during the indoor season in the 35-pound weight throw. This will be his second trip to the outdoor NCAA Championships as he competed in 2007 and unfortunately fouled all three times.

Korir will compete in the 3,000-meter steeplechase on Wednesday in the first of two heats that totals to 25 individuals for 14 spots on Friday. Korir ran his personal best in the event at the Midwest Regionals last week with his time of 8 minutes, 54.21 seconds.

“Mark is a great racer and a great competitor, and if he doesn’t make it to the finals, it won’t be due to a lack of determination,” said assistant coach Randy Cole. “Mark just needs to be prepared for any surges and have the ability to run a great last two or three laps to give himself a chance.”

Korir has been named All-American three times, twice during the cross country season and once during the indoor season in the 5,000-meter run. Korir’s time in the steeplechase ranks sixth all-time in Wyoming history.

Television coverage of the NCAA Championships will be aired live on Friday at 5 p.m. MT, on CBS College Sports and Saturday at 11 am. MT, on CBS Sports. Live web coverage and live stats are available online at www.ncaa.com/dioutdoortrack09.

Shanklin will kick off the championships at the Don McDonnell Field on the campus of the University of Arkansas at 8:30 a.m. (MT) with the hammer throw, while Korir will compete at 6:15 p.m. (MT).

UW athletics a part of budget reductions

The University of Wyoming announced reductions to the university budget for the next fiscal year, which starts July 1. Included among those reductions were cuts to the UW athletics department.

The reductions to UW athletics for the 2010 and 2011 fiscal years will be five percent each year (approximately $600,000 per year). The entire budget reduction to the University of Wyoming will be $18.3 million (10 percent) for fiscal year 2010.

“The University of Wyoming Intercollegiate Athletics Department has received its budget reduction, and we will make the necessary adjustments,” Athletics Director Tom Burman said. “We do not take these cuts lightly. We are making operational cuts, as well as a moderate reduction to our work force. We are confident that we will continue to move our program forward.”

Planning for budget adjustments started several months ago, when it was clear projected state revenues were declining.

UW Athletics’ budget reduction plan will include reducing both administrative and sport specific budgets by a total of approximately $600,000. Incorporated in that plan is a reduction in force of four staff positions: eliminating the “W” Club director’s position; combining the athletic training curriculum director position with an assistant athletic trainer position; not filling an assistant strength and conditioning coach position; and not filling an assistant marketing director position.

“The university’s principal mission is education, and research is integrally related to this mission,” UW President Tom Buchanan says. “That said, for many Wyoming residents, intercollegiate athletics provides a key connection to UW.

“I intend for UW to remain a competitive member of the Mountain West Conference. But, like other units at UW, intercollegiate athletics must share the burden of budget reductions. Therefore, along with the hiring squeeze and the support budget reduction (described in the University’s press release issued earlier on Thursday), I have directed that state funding for Intercollegiate Athletics be reduced by five percent in FY 2010 and another five percent in FY 2011.

“It is important to put these reductions in perspective. In the 2008 budget session, lawmakers increased UW’s block grant by $750,000 annually, based on our contention that additional resources were necessary to maintain competitiveness in intercollegiate athletics. The total reduction I’m proposing is substantially greater than the $750,000 per year provided in the 2008 Session. The priorities of our academic enterprise demand that. While many will perceive these cuts as a setback to athletics at UW, nearly 60 percent of UW’s Intercollegiate Athletics budget is funded by revenues generated in that division. I am confident that our intercollegiate athletics program will work hard to generate additional revenue to ensure that our teams remain competitive.”

The University of Wyoming news release on budget reductions can be found at: www.uwyo.edu/president/outbox

UW wrestling honored again

The University of Wyoming Cowboy wrestling program continues to find its way into the headlines, with a recent recruiting class ranking and additional postseason awards for last year’s team.

Following a successful 2008-09 season, three Cowboy redshirt freshmen and UW’s rookie head coach have been recognized by Amateur Wrestling News. Joe LeBlanc was named to the publication’s All-Rookie First Team, while both Michael Martinez and Shane Onufer were All-Rookie Fourth Team honorees. Wyoming head man Mark Branch was selected as the Top Rookie Coach in the nation.

LeBlanc was the first-ever freshman All-American in the history of Wyoming wrestling after placing fifth in the 184-pound weight class at the 2009 NCAA Championships. Martinez (125 pounds) and Onufer (174) were both first-year NCAA Tournament qualifiers. All three won West Regional titles at their weights and all three finished the year in the top-10 on UW’s Single-Season Victories list. LeBlanc is tied for third at 45-8, Onufer tied for fifth at 44-11, while Martinez is tied for ninth all-time at 38-11.

In his first year leading the ‘Pokes, Wyoming head coach Mark Branch guided his squad to a share of the regular season Western Wrestling Conference dual championship with a record of 15-3 overall, 5-0 in the WWC. His team also had a runner-up finish at the West Regional/WWC Tournament, four individual champions and automatic NCAA qualifiers, as well as nine of 10 wrestlers placing in the top-three of their weight class. Branch was the league’s Coach of the Year.

Looking to the future, the Cowboy program has been tabbed as having the 13th best incoming recruiting class in the nation according to the most recent issue of W.I.N. Magazine. It is the second consecutive year that UW has been in the publication’s top-15, as last year Wyoming’s recruiting class was ranked 11th.

Jimmy Belleville of Tumwater, Wash., Tyler Cox from Gillette, Jake Eitzen of Estes Park, Colo., and Patrick Martinez from Hemet, Calif., comprise UW’s current incoming freshman class. Belleville, who is expected to wrestle in college at 149 or 157 pounds, and Cox (125) both are four-time high school state champions. Eitzen (133) and Martinez (165/174) each have high school state titles to their credit as well.

All four student-athletes are enrolled at Wyoming for the 2009 fall semester.