SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Minden's Bryce Barnes saw some of his early lead slip away on Saturday morning, but remained in position to defend his boys' cutting title at the 52nd annual National High School Rodeo Finals.
Barnes, a Douglas High graduate who competes for the Carson High Rodeo Club, is tied for first place in the overall boys' cutting standings coming into the final round today at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. His 293-point total is tied for the top spot with Derek Denton of Sterling, Utah. A total of four points separates the top seven cowboys overall.
Barnes posted a 144-point score on Saturday, good for a fifth-place tie for the day.
Barnes, who is bound for UNLV this fall, won last year's national boys' cutting title in Gillette, Wyo.
