UW Competitors Record Good Times at CNFR Tuesday Afternoon

University of Wyoming team members rebounded Tuesday for better results at the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper.

During the afternoon’s slack, Justene Hirsig, of Cheyenne, and Denton Shaw, of Lusk, went for broke, knowing they needed a recorded time to stay in contention in team roping. The pair came through, stopping the clock in 6.7 seconds.

“We just knew that we didn’t have much to lose. And we knew that maybe that we still had a chance to make it back if we had two smooth runs,” Shaw said. “I don’t think we had any nerves, and we were on the same page. We did what we needed to get done, trying to make it back to the short go.”

Hirsig and Shaw wrap up their third and final run Tuesday night. Another good run will leave the roping partners on the short-go bubble.

The pair made another good run just like the day before. But, bad luck Monday led to a no-time when the rope sliced through Shaw’s hands. The Lusk native was sporting bandages on both hands Tuesday.

“At least I got all 10 fingers today,” he said, smiling.

In the first event of Tuesday’s slack, UW’s Kelsey Lensegrav rebounded from a tough opening round, when she knocked down a barrel, to post a second-run time of 14.7 seconds -- for 34.6 seconds on two.

The Interior, S.D., freshman was pleased with her second run but dwelled on “what could have been” if her horse Sandy hadn’t knocked down the second barrel a day earlier.

“I do think about that a little bit, but I’m just excited about today and moving forward,” she said. “After yesterday’s time, I’m glad she’s running well, but it’s disappointing it’s not counting toward the average. But, I’ve just got to keep moving ahead.”

Lensegrav finishes her third round Thursday evening.

UW bull rider Jacob Smith was the only team member who did not compete Tuesday. He goes for a short-go bid Wednesday with his third attempt. He scored 69.5 points on his first ride and was bucked off of the second bull.

However, no contestant has covered two bulls after Tuesday’s slack.