The National High School Rodeo Finals concluded Saturday night in Farmington, NM. After the championship short go-round, Ty Erickson of the Helena Rodeo Club emerged in ninth place in the country in the average steer wrestling. Erickson, who is the reigning two-time state all-around champion (2008-09), posted an average of 16.244 seconds for his three steers at nationals.

In the breakaway roping, Helena teammates Kelsey Hanson and Cierra Kunesh finished 55th and 61st overall, respectively. Ryan O'Masters of East Helena came in 57th in the bareback riding.

Team Montana placed fourth in the team standings, led by A.J. Stoddard of Browning, who finished third in the bareback riding.

Other top Montana placers included Cadee Tew of Harlowton, fourth in breakaway roping; Clay Gruel of Great Falls and Browning's Robert Wagner, fifth and sixth, respectively, in the saddle bronc; Danielle Staudenmeyer of Dillon, ninth in the goat tying; and Hamilton's Allison Darrow, 11th in the girls cutting.

Jason Schaffer of Broadus took ninth in the all-around competition.