605 Sports Staff

GILLETTE, Wyo. — Two South Dakota cowboys lit up the National High School Finals Rodeo Thursday morning with winning performances in the barrel racing and steer wrestling, second go-rounds. 

Wall’s Piper Cordes ran a 17.235 in the barrel racing this morning while Good bulldogged his steer in 4.92 seconds. 

Two South Dakota girls advanced to the short go of the barrel racing with Cordes in 5th place, 34.97 seconds and Hayes’ Tommie Kay Martin, 8th, 35.217 seconds. 

Good is currently sitting 5th in the world in steer wrestling with a two-run total of 11.49 seconds. 

Spearfish’s Brylee Grubb had another solid run in the goat tying Thursday morning with an 8.51 second run. She is currently sitting 2nd in the world with a two-run time of 16.53. Salem’s Michaela McCormick had a 9.78 second run Wednesday evening and is currently 11th heading into the short go. 

Fruitdale’s Reece Reder scored 60 in his bareback ride and is currently in 6th place in the average. Quinn’s Malcom Heathershaw was 2nd in his performance of the saddle bronc competition Thursday morning. 

Both South Dakota boys and girls teams are currently in 9th place in their individual competitions. The combined team from South Dakota is currently in 8th place. 

South Dakota Performance Results: 

Barrel Racing:

1. Piper Cordes, Wall, 17.235

9. Tommie Kay Martin, Hayes, 17.582

Bareback Riding: 

6. Reece Reder, Fruitdale, 60

Girls Cutting:

8. Tava Sexton, Whitewood, 139

Goat Tying: 

4. Brylee Grubb, Spearfish, 8.51

13. Michaela McCormick, Salem, 9.78

Pole Bending: 

10. Addyson Wittnebel, Castlewood, 20.992

Saddle Bronc

2. Malcom Heathershaw, Quinn, 67

Steer Wrestling:

15. Bobby Brewer, Dupree, 8.72

1. Denton Good, Long Valley, 4.92