GILLETTE, Wyo. — Fruitdale’s Mataya Ward and New Underwood’s Eastan West captured top performances at Tuesday’s National High School Finals Rodeo. 

Ward, a Belle Fourche High School multi-sport standout, placed first in the goat tying with a top time of 7.19 seconds. Sturgis’ Landry Haugen tied for the fourth-best time in Tuesday’s morning performance with a run of 8.47 seconds. 

West had Tuesday’s top saddle bronc riding score with a 75. Hereford’s Thayne Elshere scored a 69 and tied for the third-best score during Tuesday’s performances. 

Complete South Dakota results for Tuesday 

Saddle bronc riding: Eastan West, New Underwood, 75; Thayne Elshere, Hereford, 69.

Barrel racing: Claire Verhulst, Reva, 18.437; Gabi Irving, Pierre, 18.517.

Boys cutting: Cody Dirkes, Hermosa, 137

Goat tying: Mataya Ward, Fruitdale, 7.19; Landry Haugen, Sturgis, S.D., 8.47

Pole bending: Aspen Vining, Buffalo, 20.957

Reined cow horse: Dallie Lawrence, Alzada, Mont., 279.5

Steer wrestling: Grey Gilbert, Buffalo, 5.79; Gage Gilbert, Camp Crook, 7.74

Tie-down roping: Tate Hoffman, Highmore, 11.97