Eastern New Mexico University senior Logan Medlin started strong in defense of his national team roping title.
Medlin teamed with Billy Bob Brown of Tarleton State to win the first-go Monday at the College Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyoming.
Medlin and Brown’s time of 4.8 seconds gives them a half-second lead.
Meanwhile, the ENMU women are fifth in the week-long competition with 115 points.
Southern Arkansas leads with 170 points.
Taylor Smith earned 70 points for the Zias with a second-place finish Monday in the second go of breakaway roping with a time of 2.6 seconds.
Hayden Segelke added 45 points by finishing tied for fourth in the first-go of goat-tying with a time of 6.5 seconds.
The Zias, who won eight of 10 rodeos this season to capture their first regional title for the ENMU women's team since the 1992 season, last won the CNFR in 1983.
The finals are Saturday.