CASPER, Wyo. Led by Dakota Eldridge, the Blue Mountain Community College rodeo team is sitting pretty in the mens standings after two days of performances at the College National Finals Rodeo. 

The Elko, Nevada cowboy lifted the BMCC?men into ninth place as a team Monday after finishing second in team roping (6.2 seconds) and steer wrestling (3.9 seconds). Those times, along with a 10.0-second run in tie-down roping for eighth place, worked Eldridge into serious contention to become the nations all-around cowboy of 2011. 

God gave me an ability and I need to be serious about it, said Eldridge (145), who is 10 points ahead of Winn Ratliff of McNeese State University?for the all-around title. I really feel like if I keep doing like I did today, I could win a couple events and the all-around.

Kash Wilson posted a no-score in bareback riding on his first go, but rebounded for a 62-point ride that propelled him into 17th place. Austin?Foss, who entered the event ranked No. 2 nationally, posted a 69.5 and awaits his second go today sitting in 28th place. 

Foss has endured a dislocated knee, crushed right index knuckle and neck injury this year. The Terrebonne cowboy gutted his way to third place at the CNFR in 2010 and said he feels little pressure to repeat or improve on that mark. 

Pressure is only a number standings dont show how guys deal with it along the way, Foss said. Once you get here (CNFR) its just a drawing competition. The top 15 guys can all ride, it just matters on what animal we get on what day.

Adding to the list of BMCC?athletes with strong initial performances were Justin Parke, Bryan Reay, Kayla Tiegs and Hermiston High School graduate Mary Shae Hays. 

Parke is No. 15 in tie-down roping with an 11.2-second run and Reay (6.0 seconds) bulldogged his way to 16th place after one round. Tiegs landed in 29th place in goat tying (7.3 seconds) and Hays is No. 28 in barrel racing with a 15.11-second finish after her first-go. 

Bull rider Lane Bailey has not posted a score after two rounds, and is in a 12-way tie for seventh place. 

The BMCC women are outside the top-22 rankings as a team. 

As a whole, the timed event boys and girls are doing exceptionally well, said BMCC?coach Shawn Eng. The rough stock is having trouble drawing good animals to win first, but that could change any day. 

Im just tickled with everybody so far. Its been a long, hard year but everyone is stepping up to the plate and trying to make things work, he said.