UW’s Norsworthy Qualifies for Saturday’s CNFR Short Go Round

Add Cowgirl Emme Norsworthy’s name to the list of University of Wyoming qualifiers for the “Big Show.”

The Thermopolis student-athlete continued to impress in barrel racing with a 14.28-second run Thursday night at the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) in Casper. She is currently splitting ninth place in the third round, which ends tonight (Friday). But, more importantly, she is fifth overall in the national average at 42.59 seconds.

She was clean on all of her turns, attacking the clover leaf pattern with precision.

Norsworthy will advance to the short go Saturday along with Cowgirl teammate Kenna McNeill, of Hobbs, N.M., in goat tying; and Cowboy team members Bodie Mattson, of Sturgis, S.D., in tie down roping; and Kemmerer’s Donny Proffit in bareback riding. Cam Jensen, of Hyannis, Neb., is on the cusp of qualifying in team roping.

Both Mattson and McNeill are third in the average in their events; Proffit is sixth; and Jensen and team roping partner Tanner McInerney, of Gillette College, are ninth.

The top 12 times/marks in each event after three rounds of competition advance to the short go round.

Three other UW team members also competed Thursday:

-- Jacob Wang made up for his first-round no-time when he took down his steer in a fast 5.3 seconds in the bulldogging competition. The Baker, Mont., bulldogger had a time of 7.5 seconds in the second round and is 12.8 on three runs.

-- Rio Nutter, of Rapid City, S.D., and partner Reece Wadhams, of Laramie County Community College, had their second straight successful team roping run when they both managed to get their ropes over the horns and heels in 12.5 seconds. The ropers are 19.1 seconds on three runs.

-- Jensen just could not turn his regional tie down roping title into success at the CNFR. He had a tough go in his specialty with his second straight no-time run. He had a 19.8 in the first round, his only successful rope of the week.

The only UW team member on the final night that ends the third round is Gillette’s Sage Kohr in barrel racing and breakaway roping -- events that she won in the region this past season. However, she is out of the average in both events and will not advance to the short go. She will be looking to add third-round points to the Cowgirls’ team total.