After the third day of competition in Casper, Wyo., the UT Martin rodeo team finds itself in the top ten at the National College Finals Rodeo.

At the top of the UTM points scale is Scotty NeSmith, from Sharon, Tenn. He leads the bareback competition with a 78.5 , and is eighth in the average after three rides.

Josh Shackleford and Matthew Bright are also riding bareback for the Skyhawks, at 24th and 36th respectively in the standings after two rides.

Another West Tenn. native, Jason Dement, is adding points to the Skyhawks overall total. The calf roper from Humboldt won the second go round of the event with an impressive time of 8.2. He's third overall in the average after three runs and is also 12th in the steer roping event.

Also competing in the calf roping event is rodeo team G.A., Zak Danison.

Curtis Griffin, despite battling a hand injury, is currently 12th in the bull riding event.

The UTM Cowgirls are currently tied for 29th.

Courtney Barnfield and Audrey Lipsky are 26th and 27th in the barrel racing event after two rounds.

Lyndsie Brower is 34th in breakaway roping and 29th in goat tying after two rounds in each. She finished eight in the first and sixth in the second go round of tying.

"It's still to early to tell if we can with this thing," said UTM Rodeo head coach John Luthi, "but we have an opportunity to do well."

Luthi is confident that several members of the team, including NeSmith, Dement, Brower, Barnfield and Lipsky, should make the short go.

The CFNR short go round is scheduled for Sunday, June 19th.

For more information, check back with the Pacer Online Edition, www.utmsports.com, or www.collegerodeo.com.