Dora's Clark leads tie-down roping after first round

Freedom New Mexico

Gillette, Wyo. — Jessie Clark of Dora leads tie-down roping at the National High School Finals Rodeo after the first round.

Clark’s time of 8.68 seconds Tuesday night gives him a half-second lead over the field 110 ropers in the weeklong event.

“I made a good run on a calf that really wasn’t that good,” said Clark, making his third trip to the HSNFR. “They have better ones in there than the one I drew, but I was able to adjust to care of it.”

Logan Medlin of Tatum is third in tie-down with a time of 9.188.

The top 20 in each event after two rounds advances to the finals.

New Mexico holds a 120-point lead over Texas for team honors with California third. The top 20 in each go earn points.

TiAda Gray of Tatum leads breakaway roping.

Clark, who is 84th in steer wrestling after the first-go, is scheduled to rope again today.