Erickson, Tamcke 2nd after first go at NHFR

Tyler Erickson is second after one go in the Team Roping with partner Dalton Tamcke of Dillon with a 6.275, which barely trails Shay Carroll and Tyler Schnaufer of Colorado with a time of 6.175.

Erickson is tied for seventh for the All-Around Cowboy title with 190 points.

After Tuesday morning's go, Brett Poe is in 23rd in steer wrestling with a 5.929. Annie Novotny apparently hit a barrel and finished in 22.912.

Today, Erickson makes both of his steer wrestling runs and Cassidy Nordahl makes both of her pole bending runs.

Golf Tournament to Benefit CASA for Children

Doney | Crowley | Bloomquist | Payne | Uda P.C. is sponsoring a golf tournament to benefit CASA for Children Friday Aug. 8 at Fox Ridge Golf Course. The tournament is a nine-hole, four-person scramble, best ball format. The $65 entry fee includes nine holes of golf, a shared golf cart, dinner, and a donation to CASA for Children. Golf clubs may be rented from Fox Ridge for $10.

Social hour begins at 3 p.m., with tournament play from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner and awards. Prizes will be awarded for a variety of accomplishments from longest drive to funniest shot.

CASA for Children is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation located in Helena. The program provides trained volunteers who serve as advocates for abused, neglected and abandoned children.

Children with CASA volunteers are more likely to be placed in safe, permanent homes; more likely to receive better services; and less likely to encounter numerous placement changes. The National CASA Association estimates that children with a CASA volunteer are substantially less likely to spend time in long-term foster care. In addition, CASA helps "permanently close" cases involving abused and neglected children. In other words, children served by CASA volunteers are less likely to re-enter the child welfare system.

Call or e-mail Rik Wade at 443-2211 or rwade@doneylaw.com to register by Aug. 5 for this fun event to benefit a great cause.

Helena 11 year olds lose 1st at regionals

Helena's 11-year-old state champions lost their first game of the 2008 Cal Ripken Pacific Northwest Regional Baseball Tournament to the host team, Willamette Valley, 1-0 Tuesday in Eugene, Ore.

Willamette Valley's Ryan Blake-Jones hit a first-inning single to drive in Dan Stapley with the game's only run. Pitchers Justin Herbert and Drew Smernes combined on a one-hitter for the winning team.

Andrew Boyle had Helena's only base hit, a second-inning infield single. Michael Dobbins (reached on error), Reed Carter (hit-by-pitch), and Matthew Heldt (walk) were the only others to get on base. Helena did not advance a runner past second.

Grant Hartley pitched the first two innings for Helena. Jared Smith struck out five batters and gave up no runs, 1 hit (a third-inning triple), and 1 walk in four innings of relief.

South Washington defeated Glasgow, Montana's other representative, 19-0 earlier Tuesday. Glasgow finished third at state.

Helena plays again today at 9 a.m., against Othello (North Washington).