MARTIN, Tenn. - Josh Chase, Chase Miller and Cory Kirk will have to sit back and watch the remainder of the third go at the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) at the ) at the Casper (Wyo.) Special Events Center.

The three University of Tennessee at Martin cowboys are currently among the top seven in their respective events. If the trio finishes among the top 12 after three rounds, they will earn spots in the championship short round set for Saturday night.

Josh Chase, a senior from Camden, is second in the bareback riding average. Chase turned in a 72.5-point ride Tuesday night in the third go to climb in the average. He has a total of 216 points after three rides. Chase opened the CNFR with a 75.5-point ride in the first go and finish ninth in the round. He had a 68-point ride in the second go and was 17th in the round.

Chase Miller, a junior from Nebraska, is fifth in the saddle bronc average after turning in a 68-point ride Tuesday night in the third go. He is currently fourth in the round which finishes up Friday.

Cory Kirk, a senior from Morristown, is seventh in the tie-down roping average with a total time of 24.1 after two rounds. He turned in a time of 10.2 in the first go and finished seventh. He had a time of 13.9 in the second go Tuesday afternoon and finished 15th in the round.

The UT Martin men's team is 12th in the nation with 215 points after Tuesday night's performance.

On the women's side, UT Martin's Abby McDuff, a sophomore from Mississippi, is fifth in the breakaway roping average after three rounds. McDuff turned in a time of 3.0 in the Tuesday night's third go and has a total time of 14.9.

Brittany Pratt, despite no times in the first and third rounds, is tenth in the breakaway average with a total time of 3.7. She turned in the 3.7 run in the second go where she finished 15th in the round.

UT Martin's Heather Moore and Molly Alexander are among the top 13 barrel racers heading into the third go. Moore is tied for tenth with a total time of 29.33, while Alexander is 13th with a total time of 29.45.

The UT Martin women's team is tied for 12th with 90 points after Tuesday night's performance.

The CNFR, which continues through Saturday, June 19, is the "Rose Bowl" of college rodeo. It is where the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) crowns individual event champions in saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, bull riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing, breakaway roping, and goat tying. National team championships are also awarded to both men's and women's teams. Over 400 cowboys and cowgirls from over 100 universities and colleges compete in Casper each year.


#UT MARTIN#