This is the moment for which three University of Wyoming rodeo team members have been practicing and competing since the start of the fall season last September: the championship round of the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) in Casper Saturday night.

The trio -- Josie Mousel, Colton Farrow and Traven Sharon -- enter the championship round with shots of winning individual titles, along with the UW women's team. The Cowboys are on the outside looking in, currently ranked among the top 10 teams in the nation.

After three full rounds of competition that began Sunday, Mousel is in serious contention to win a pair of national titles. She enters as the No. 1 goat tyer, having produced three solid runs, including winning the opening round and securing top three times in her following two rounds. She has registered 18 seconds on three runs -- a full second ahead of the nearest competitor.

The Colman, S.D., junior also has a commanding lead in the all-around with 275 points, while runner-up Quincy Morgan-Montoya, of New Mexico Junior College, in Hobbs, N.M., is a distant second with 75 points. Lurking in the background is another competitor who has qualified in two separate events.

"Josie has been very consistent this week and will need one more great run to be a national goat tying champion," UW Coach Seth Glause says. "She will give a winning effort tonight. I am excited for her."

Mousel's overall performance has helped the Cowgirls accumulate 285 total points, giving the UW women a shot at the national title. Texas A&M University, in College Station, Texas, leads the standings, just 20 points ahead of the Cowgirls, while Weatherford College, in Weatherford, Texas, is second with 300.

Farrow dropped two spots in the bareback riding average at the conclusion of the final section of riders, after sitting as high as second in the nation earlier in the week. The Greybull native is sitting fourth going into the championship round with 239.5 points on three. He put himself in contention when he nailed a career-best 83.75-point ride in the third round.

"It should be a great performance tonight for Colton," Glause says. "He has a nice horse tonight and he just needs to go do his job like he has done all week."

The second UW Cowboy qualifier, Traven Sharon, of Ordway, Colo., moved down two spots in the final saddle bronc riding standings. Earlier, Sharon was fourth after he completed his three rounds. The freshman enters the final with 235.25 points on three head. The ride that boosted him into the finals was his best performance of the week Thursday, marking 82 points -- the third-best score of the third round.

"Traven has showed what he can do the last two rounds," Glause says. "He will have to be going at the round to make up some ground."

All three UW teammates will be making their first CNFR championship finals appearance.

As a team, the Cowboys have scored 320 points, good for eighth in the men's standings. Clarendon College, in Clarendon, Texas, heads the pack with 640 points, followed by Weatherford with 540 and Tarleton State University, of Stephenville, Texas, with 463.3.

"We are proud of the teams," Glause says. We appreciate all the support from the crowd, community and families; they definitely electrify the building when the Pokes compete. It's going to be an exciting night."

Five UW team members closed out their CNFR runs Friday night to conclude the third round.

-- The only Cowgirl competing in the finale was Olivia Lay, of Elbert, Colo., who had her best round of the week in breakaway roping. She closed out her UW career with a fast 2.2-second run. A no-time in the opener hurt her chances to advance to the finals. She was 11.9 in between.

-- Steer wrestler Rio Nutter, from Rapid City, S.D., saw his outside chance of sneaking into the championship fall by the wayside when he had a no-time, the second one he recorded in three rounds. His best effort was 9 seconds earlier in the week.

-- Brothers Rowdy and Roan Weil, of Kersey, Colo., saw their team-roping season end with two straight no-times. The twins opened the CNFR with a 15.1-second run.

-- Bull rider Aidan Sawyer, from Sheridan, ended his first CNFR appearance with no-times during all three rounds of competition.

June 19, 2026 -- Growing up in Ordway, Colo., the Sharon brothers always competed hard against each other in everything. There was a lot of trash talking no matter what it was, from wrestling to foot racing to card games. They always wanted to win.

"Oh, yeah, we liked to have fun and get after it but, in the end, we're always rooting for each other," says University of Wyoming freshman Traven Sharon, who is competing in his first College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) in Casper this week. "We always want to win but, if we don't, we want the other one to win."

And now, he's competing in the same CNFR event with his older brother, Waitley, who is two years older and is rodeoing for powerhouse Tarleton State College, in Stephenville, Texas. Both brothers were up Thursday night in the same section of saddle bronc riding. Early in the competition, Waitley, making his second CNFR appearance this week, posted the round's top score of 84 points. And, you guessed it, his little brother rode Red Man to 82, just two points off the round's leader -- his own sibling.

Traven gave his older brother a fist bump after his ride, and then Waitley helped his younger brother strap onto his horse in the bucking chute for his own ride minutes later. Waitley later gave Traven his own fist bump after the Cowboys' successful ride. Traven is a four-time Colorado state wrestling champion and also is a member of the Cowboys' wrestling team. There are five Sharon brothers, ages 11 to 21.

Traven says that their dad, Trent, always told the Sharon boys growing up that "wherever we go, we're capable of winning."

He adds that his competitive streak will drive him going into the championship round.

"It's hard to be excited when you're not in the driver's seat but, shoot, there are a lot of guys who would be pretty happy to have the CNFR that I've had," Traven says. "I'll take my blessings and keep capitalizing on all my opportunities."

Both brothers will be in Saturday's championship round -- with Waitley sitting atop the leader board with 249 points and Traven close by in fourth at 235.25 with one night of competition left.

"Traven had a great ride tonight; he did a really good job setting his ride up," UW Coach Seth Glause says. "He got a great spur out and got ahead of his horse. It was tough that he missed his calf earlier that took him out of contention in the all-around."

Five other UW rodeo team members laid it all on the line during Thursday's third round with hopes of qualifying for the championship finals or winning the round to help their teammates in the points standings.

Earlier in the evening, Traven Sharon had a chance to reach the tie-down roping short go after roping two calves, but his third run turned into a no-go when his rope missed its mark. He had 28 seconds on two head entering the final run.

Josie Mousel, who leads the nation in the all-around and also in goat tying, needed a perfect run in breakaway roping to sneak into the championship round, which would have made her a two-event threat in the finals. The Colman, S.D., junior managed a 2.4-second run, but she needed to win the third go for a chance to advance. She did split a three-way tie for first in the second round to score team points but was hurt by a no-time in the opener earlier in the week. Her 5.3-second run on two put her in a good position, but the first round dropped her out of the top 12 average.

UW will send three team members into Saturday's championship round. Joining Mousel and Sharon will be Colton Farrow in bareback riding. The Greybull graduate student is sitting second in the average with 238.5 points going into the end of round three Friday.

"Colton rode great in the third go round," Glause says. "He set himself up to be in a great position to compete for a national title on Saturday."

Teammate Makenzi Scott, from Rock Springs, is sitting on the edge of being among the top 12 barrel racing qualifiers after she posted a 14.17-second run. Scott is 11th in the average and has to wait and see one more night to know if her three runs, totaling 42.52 seconds, are good

enough to bring her back Saturday.

"Makenzi had a nice run, and we are very proud of all of her accomplishments over the last four years. It's just a wait to see if she makes it to the short go," Glause says.

A pair of UW team ropers came away empty in their final CNFR appearances this week. Treg Thorstensen, of Lantry, S.D., and Rio Nutter, from Rapid City, S.D., did not record a time in three rounds; nor did Kash Reynolds, of Rozet, and partner Tyon Arneson, from Sheridan College.

Bulldogger Thayne Kimbrough, from Ohiowa, Neb., had a tough final run when he had a 20.4 after taking a 10-second penalty for breaking the barrier.

Five UW team members will compete in Friday night's performance that closes the third round.

"We look forward to watching all the Cowboys and Cowgirls compete Friday," Glause says. "We will see where everything shakes out and make adjustments for the students who make the short go."

All day, Josie Mousel was consumed with how she was going to perform on her third goat-tying run at the College National Finals Rodeo, where she entered as the national leader.

There was no need to worry.

For the third consecutive round, Mousel, a University of Wyoming junior, was good enough to finish with one of the top two times. During Wednesday's performance in Casper, Mousel tied her goat in 6.2 seconds, giving her the second-best time halfway through three rounds. She won the opening round and split the second-best time in round two, giving her 18.3 seconds on three runs -- nearly a full second ahead of the runner-up in the average.

As she came into the alley under the stands leading into the arena, UW Coach Seth Glause and his assistant, Jacey Hupp, were waiting for her, ready to give her encouraging words -- as well as jokes to keep her loose.

"They were in back cracking jokes when my horse nearly ran them over, and he coughed all over them as well," Mousel says. "They thought it was pretty funny, and I guess that's what kept me calm."

The Colman, S.D., Cowgirl says she feels good about her run and is right where she wants to be.

"That goat tonight wasn't the best one that I've drawn so far this week. Sometimes, the goats get up more in the (night) performance because there's more yelling and screaming from the crowd," Mousel says. "Maybe my horse didn't run as hard, so we'll have to fix that before the next round but, other than that, it felt good."

UW Coach Seth Glause says that, overall, Wednesday's performance was a good one for the five Cowgirls and Cowboys who competed. Championship bids and go-round points were up for grabs for the UW teammates.

"Josie continued to show poise tonight in the goat tying to post another great run," Glause says. "It's really neat to see all of her hard work paying off this week."

Layni Stevens helped the Cowgirls, who are second in the nation as a team, secure potential points in the same event. She followed her teammate with a 6.6-second run, matching her opening-round time -- in between, she had a no-time. Stevens, from Lantry, S.D., tied for the sixth-best time in the third round, with two nights of competition remaining.

"Layni made a solid run and had a good final run to build on for next year," Glause says.

A UW Cowboy kept his short-go bid alive Wednesday night with his best time of the week. Now it's a waiting game.

Colton Farrow saved his last ride for the best. The Greybull Cowboy rode T-Sizzle to a career-best 83.75 points to put him among the 12 qualifiers for a championship-round bid Saturday night. The mark is the second-best halfway through the final round.

"Colton started off with a great ride in the bareback riding," Glause says. "He had a cool horse and just dominated the whole ride."

Farrow admits that he had an incentive to go out on a high note.

Earlier in the day, Farrow relaxed with teammates during a co-ed softball tournament, pitting student-athletes and coaches from around the nation in a fun activity.

"We got whupped in softball pretty bad earlier in the morning. I struck out -- actually, it was really embarrassing -- and I think I had to get some redemption for that," he said, smiling. "Maybe that's what was on my mind tonight."

It definitely was the best mark he's had in his two years as a CNFR qualifier for the Pokes. Farrow says he's not really sure where that ride came from but says it was a "pretty sweet horse" from the same stock contractor whose horses he's ridden before at the Cody Nite Rodeo. He entered the third round with 155.75 points, putting him 10th in the average. His three-head

aggregate of 238.50 should be good enough for him to compete in the championship round.

"Yeah, I think I'll make it back, and I'll be real excited to see who they get for me to get on Saturday night," Farrow adds. "It's pretty special, being my last year, to have a good year like this. It means a lot."

A pair of Cowboys went for broke in the same event -- steer wrestling -- and both came away with top times in the final round.

Jacob Wang, of Baker, Mont., kept his chances alive of qualifying for the championship round when he turned his steer over in 5 seconds -- the second-best time halfway through the final round. He had a 4.9 in the second round to go along with a no-time earlier in the week.

After suffering a pair of early no-times, Sam Gallagher, from Brighton, Colo., stopped the clock in 5.6 seconds, giving him the round's third-best time.

"Steer wrestlers Jacob and Sam both made solid runs to give themselves a chance at some round points," Glause says.

Six UW team members complete their third rounds Thursday evening, with some still in contention for championship-round bids.

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."

June 16, 2026 -- After a pair of dominating runs in two different events, University of Wyoming women's team member Josie Mousel is setting her sights on an even bigger prize: an all-around title at the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) in Casper.

After winning the opening round of goat tying the day before, Mousel nearly did it again early Tuesday afternoon during the second slack session. As the third competitor in the final goat tying section, Mousel was nearly perfect the second time around, stopping the clock in 6 seconds, just two-tenths of a second off her 5.8-second time in the opening round. It gives her a two-round time of 11.8 seconds, enabling her to retain the overall national lead.

Her second run was the top time until one of the final competitors went 5.9, dropping the Colman, S.D., Cowgirl to a tie for second in the round.

"It was slightly slower today, but it still felt just as good to me," Mousel says. "The goat was a little bigger, usually resulting in a slower time and a slower handling. I tried to be smoother today. I felt yesterday that I was really aggressive, and today I wanted to be smoother. I'm up again tomorrow night, and that will be my game plan again -- knock down all my steps and make no mistakes."

Mousel was just as good in her breakaway roping run earlier in the morning, stopping the clock in a blazing 1.9 seconds, tying her with two other competitors for the fastest time of the second round -- and adding even more points to the Cowgirls' overall team total. She suffered a no-time in the opening round of breakaway roping, or else she'd be a national contender in two separate events.

"I felt I carried my momentum from yesterday when I won the round in goat tying, and then I felt I carried it over into the breakaway today," Mousel says. "I drew a good calf, and they actually won the first round on the same calf. I knew he was good."

With Mousel scoring heavily in two rounds of goat tying, and now adding second-round breakaway roping points, the UW junior is now in contention for the all-around title -- something she definitely has her eye on. So far, she has scored 215 individual points in two events.

"That's kind of my goal now: to win the all-around," she says, but adds that she may not reach the breakaway roping short go this weekend unless she wins the third round.

"I as dang sure want to be behind the barrier and to trust my rope to try to win the round," she says.

"Josie did a tremendous job today," UW Coach Seth Glause says. "She scored great on a calf that didn't give her an honest start and made a great run. She followed up with a solid run in the goats. She looks focused and is competing at a high level."

Several other UW Cowgirls and Cowboys also competed in the final slack round, with a handful remaining in contention for championship-round bids.

Makenzi Scott, from Rock Springs, was on point in her second barrel racing run, completing the cloverleaf pattern in a sub-14-second run. Her 13.97-second clocking was the second round's 10th fastest time. She is now at 28.35 seconds and is 14th in the average.

Scott has to wait until Thursday's performance to move up in the average and the chance to qualify for Saturday's championship round. Only the top 12 times and marks through three rounds during the week -- for both men's and women's competitors -- earn bids for Saturday's championship round.

Layni Stevens, from St. Lawrence, S.D., was on her way to surpass her goat tying opening round time but, unfortunately, the goat managed to kick out of its tie after Stevens appeared headed to a 6.2-second run. She was 6.6 the day before, leaving just Wednesday's performance in her CNFR run.

Olivia Lay's tough breakaway roping week continued during her second run. The Elbert, Colo., roper was in line for the round's top time when she roped the calf in 1.9 seconds, but she came

out of the box too soon, breaking the barrier. The 10-second penalty boosted her tie-down time to 11.9 seconds. She had a no-time earlier in the week. Lay closes out her CNFR week Friday.

Greybull's Colton Farrow remains in contention for a short-go bid, as he marked for the second time in bareback riding. He rode Logos to 74.25 points, giving him 155.75 points on two, leaving him 10th in the average. He is scheduled to compete in the third round Wednesday.

A pair of tie-down ropers had solid runs Tuesday morning.

Rio Nutter, of Rapid City, S.D., had his best time of the week, clocking 9 seconds to give him 28.4 on two runs, boosting him to 14th in the average. Teammate Treg Thorstensen, from Lantry, S.D., followed up minutes later with a 10.5-second time. He is now 32.6 after two rounds of competition and 22nd in the average. Thorstensen has his third attempt Tuesday night, and Nutter closes out the event Friday.

Two more calf ropers also competed, with mixed results. Traven Sharon, from Ordway, Colo., posted a 13.8, giving him 28 seconds on two, while Tate Talkington, of Scottsbluff, Neb., suffered a no-time minutes later. Talkington has his third run Tuesday, and Sharon remains in contention -- sitting 13th in the average -- and has his third attempt Thursday.

Sharon did double-duty Tuesday morning. He had a 79.75-point ride on Camble County to give him two successful saddle bronc marks this week. He's 153.75 on two heading into Thursday's performance, giving him a good shot of reaching the championship round, and is seventh in the average.

"Josie did a tremendous job today," UW Coach Seth Glause says. "She scored great on a calf that didn't give her an honest start and made a great run. She followed up with a solid run in the goats. She looks focused and is competing at a high level."

UW Assistant Coach Jacey Hupp says Mousel did not let a setback in the first round of breakaway affect her approach Tuesday morning.

"She bounced back with a round-winning performance and followed it up with another outstanding run in the goat tying," Hupp says. "Josie's put herself in a great position to contend for a national title. We're incredibly proud of her resilience, determination and the years of hard work that are paying off on this stage."

The Cowboys had three bulldoggers competing in steer wrestling, with just one registering a confirmed time.

June 15, 2026 -- University of Wyoming Cowgirl Josie Mousel is proving why she was the national goat tying leader for more than half of the regular season. Now, when it counts the most, she has topped the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) standings.

Coming off a no-time during last year's CNFR in Casper, the Colman, S.D., junior stopped the clock in a blazing 5.7 seconds to take the national lead after the completion of round one during Monday's slack session.

Mousel, who came into collegiate rodeo's culminating event with the fifth most individual goat tying points accumulated during the regular season, wants to reach her second straight CNFR championship round -- and, more importantly, come away as a national contender. With two rounds remaining to get into Saturday's championship round -- where, a year ago, her goat kicked out of its tie to leave her out of the top 10 -- Mousel knows she just has to focus on the next goat.

"One miss on a tie can take you out of the average," she says. "I need to keep my head down, keep focused on all the goats I have left – and, if I make no mistakes, the cards will land in my favor."

Her impressive opening round began when her horse ran straight and fast down the arena floor; Mousel then had a clean dismount and "ran as fast as I could on my feet" toward the goat. She drew a smaller animal, which helped power her by taking the goat down cleanly and quicker for a successful tie.

"All I could think at that point is to make sure I get a good running start to the goat and, after that, it's all a blur. I can't think of a whole lot at that point," she says.

Her run was similar to last season, when she won the goat tying's third round. She hopes to regain her status as the national leader for the rest of the week. Mousel competed earlier in the morning in breakaway roping but missed her calf.

Fourteen UW team members also competed Monday during the first of two straight days of slack. It was a tough go for most of the Cowboys and Cowgirls.

Two of Mousel's Cowgirl teammates saw their first CNFR action earlier in the day. Layni Stevens, of St. Lawrence, S.D., managed a 6.6-second time in goat tying that put her 11th after the first

round. Rock Springs' Mackenzi Scott stopped the clock in 14.38 seconds in barrel racing, putting her 25th in the average.

The Cowboys really struggled to find their footing throughout the day, especially in the timed events.

In steer wrestling, Thayne Kimbrough, from Ohiowa, Neb., had the top individual performance for the Pokes, placing 11th overall based on his 5.1-second opening steer wrestling run. Teammates Jacob Wang, of Baker, Mont., and Sam Gallagher, of Brighton, Colo., both recorded no-times on their runs.

Tate Talkington, from Scottsbluff, Neb., and Traven Sharon, of Ordway, Colo., turned in the top tie-down roping performances for the Cowboys. Talkington posted a time of 11.9 seconds, while Sharon roped his calf in 14.02, leaving them 14th and 19th, respectively, after the opening round.

Sitting in the top 30 in the same event are teammates Rio Nutter, of Rapid City, S.D., and Treg Thorstensen, of Lantry, S.D., who were both hit with 10-second penalties for breaking the barrier coming out of the box too early. Nutter's time was 19.4, and Thorstensen's was 22.1.

Only one of three UW team roping teams had a successful run Monday.

The Weil brothers, Rowdy and Roan, both had good ropes, recording a 15.1-second time. The duo of Nutter and Thorstensen had no-time, as did Kash Reynolds, from Rozet, and partner Tyon Arneson, representing Sheridan College.

And Aidan Sawyer, of Sheridan, was bucked off his bull for the second straight day.

The first of four nightly performances is Tuesday evening, with the top 12 individual marks and times in both the men's and women's events earning championship-round bids Saturday night.

Sunday Recap

Colton Farrow's belief in himself is paying off at the right time of the year for the University of Wyoming Cowboy.

The Greybull graduate student rode Freaky Deaky to 81.5 points Sunday to open his final turn at the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) at Casper's Ford Wyoming Center. His opening bareback bronc riding mark put him in a two-way tie for fourth in the nation after the first full round of competition.

Farrow's ride during the fan favorite "Broncs, Bulls and Breakaway" competition -- featuring all roughstock riders and women's breakaway ropers -- set the tone for what he hopes is a successful week.

Farrow says he drew a pretty stocky horse that came out and jumped and kicked out every time.

"He was a picture-perfect horse, really," says Farrow, who matched his high point total on a single ride this season.

Farrow says he entered the CNFR with plenty of confidence and belief in himself after not qualifying for the championship round last summer.

"Eighty-one points is a good start to the week. I need to keep piling up the points the rest of the week to win," he says. "My success is knowing that I'm working hard."

Farrow did a great job in the opening round, UW Coach Seth Glause says.

"He had a good horse and made a great ride. He just needs to keep it rolling this week," Glause says.

Farrow next competes in Tuesday morning's slack round.

Farrow was among five UW team members competing on the opening day of CNFR action.

Teammate Traven Sharon, of Ordway, Colo., later in the evening, followed up with a 74-point saddle bronc ride to register points in the first of his three guaranteed rides this week. He is sitting 13th after round one of competition.

"Traven finishes strong. He had a great spur out and just set his rein down. He finished aggressive," Glause says. "He has a good horse for his second one. He will come back ready to ride on his next two."

Sharon competes again during Tuesday's slack round and will open his second event, tie-down roping, in Monday and Tuesday's slack.

The third UW Cowboy to compete during Sunday's performance was Sheridan bull rider Aidan Sawyer, who was unsuccessful on his first attempt after being thrown early in the ride. He competes again during Monday's slack.

Two UW Cowgirls also were up in the breakaway portion of Sunday's matinee performance, but both suffered tough opening rounds.

Josie Mousel, of Colman, S.D., and Olivia Lay, of Elbert, Colo., both came up short during the CNFR's "Broncs, Bulls and Breakaway" opening event of the weeklong CNFR competition.

"Olivia and Josie came up with empty loops in their first round, but there is a lot of rodeo left and points to capture," UW Assistant Coach Jacey Hupp says. "They are in good spirits and will return with a vengeance in round two."

Lay has her second breakaway roping run during Monday's slack session, and Mousel is up again during Tuesday's final slack round.

Sixteen UW qualifiers are all scheduled to compete in the two slack rounds over the next couple of days, and all have the opportunity to be under the arena's lights for an evening performance beginning Tuesday evening and stretching into Friday, June 19.

The top 12 men's and women's qualifiers from three complete rounds of competition move onto Saturday's championship round. All night performances begin at 7 p.m. at the Ford Wyoming Center.