Alyce Kugler won the first go-round in girls cutting to lead what's been an outstanding effort so far for the Carson-Douglas Rodeo Club at the Nevada State High School Rodeo Championships being held at the Lyon County Fairgrounds in Yerington.
Kugler, a Douglas High sophomore, looks to be well on her way to qualifying for the National High School Rodeo Finals to be held next month after winning the first go with a score of 146.0.
Two other locals who look to be well on their way to qualifying for nationals are Douglas High senior Keston Denny and Yerington senior Dylan Johnson in steer wrestling. Denny took third in the first go in 6.090 seconds while Johnson was fourth in 6.220. Tony Steele won in 5.460 and Lucas Vaughan was second in 5.820.
Denny failed to have a successful ride in bull riding in the first go, but still has an excellent chance to qualify for nationals in the event. Only four competitors were able to post a score in bull riding during the first go.
Denny and Virginia City's Amy Beaupre had an excellent showing in team roping in the first go, taking fifth in 13.920. While the two may not have enough points to qualify for nationals, they still have an excellent shot at qualifying for next month's Silver State Rodeo in Fallon.
Johnson and Fallon's Kassi Venturacci took 14th in the first go in team roping in 25.190.
Kugler also had a strong showing in the first go in pole bending, taking seventh in 22.274. In addition, Pia Wendell of the Carson-Douglas Club had a strong showing in the first go in barrel racing, taking seventh in 18.318 and was 17th in poles in 23.439. Johnson took ninth in the first go in calf roping as well in 14.770.
The second go will be completed today with the top 15 advancing to Sunday's finals. The top four finishers will advance to nationals while the fifth through ninth place finishers will advance to the Silver State Rodeo.