Mulholland takes breakaway roping lead

by UW Media Services

CASPER - Sarah Mulholland didn't even have a chance to let it sink in that she had just moved into the national breakaway roping lead. The University of Wyoming junior successfully got the loop over the calf's head Wednesday night at the Casper Events Center in 3.1 seconds to move into the overall lead at the 60th College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR).

With two days of breakaway roping competition left, the Cowgirls will be tough to beat in the event. UW's TaNaye Carroll currently is sitting third in the same event, just five-tenths of a second behind her teammate. She completed her three rounds of competition the day before.

Mulholland, from Richland Center, Wis., wasn't even thinking about what she had just accomplished. The Cowgirl quickly left the arena to strip down her horse of its sports medicine leg wraps, blanket and saddle to switch to her goat tying horse. Her third straight run of 3.1 or better made her an instant title contender. Mulholland's three-run time of 9.2 moved her into first place in the average and will secure her a spot in Saturday night's short go. She will wait and see if any other competitors top her mark with just the Thursday and Friday night performances left before the finals.

"I know I'm going to make it back to the short round. I want the lead at the end of Saturday night. That's what I'm going for," Mulholland said after the goat tying event where she had a 6.9 tie, her only successful run of the week. Her other two attempts ended with no times when the goat kicked out both times. "I am glad I got that last calf and I really didn't even think about taking the lead in the average. It wasn't my best run of the week, but I'm happy right now."

She admitted that being this consistent at the CNFR is even surprising her. Mulholland said she's been roping well all spring, but luck has not been on her side.

"My horse has been pretty good getting out of the box and getting me into position. I take my shot when I get it and hope I'm in two or the low threes," she said.

Teammate Nikki Steffes moved up the barrel racing average after her best time of the week at 14.62 seconds. Her three-run time of 44.03 placed her sixth in the average with two nights of competition left. Steffes, the defending national all-around champion, also has one round of goat tying left.