Morning Sports: July 17, 2025

High School National Finals Rodeo: The first round of the High School National Finals Rodeo in Rock Springs is complete and one Sheridan County Cowgirl placed in the top 10.

Bleu Butler of Big Horn finished the round in Goat Tying in a tie for 5th and 6th.

She is scheduled to have her second run tomorrow morning.

Elsewhere at the High School NFR, Kolby Smith of Sheridan is scheduled for his second try at bull riding this morning.

He took a no score in Round 1.

Cooper Justus of Parkman and James Foss of Buffalo had their second run in the reined cow horse event yesterday, and now they will wait it out to see if they’ll be back for the finals.

The top 20 on 2 runs combined are invited back for the championship short-go Saturday evening.

Those who qualify should know by around noon-time on Saturday.

Sheridan Troopers Legion Baseball: The Sheridan Troopers lost both games of a conference double-header last night at Gillette.

Scores were 3-2 and 2-1.

In both games, the Roughriders won with a walk-off bases loaded walk.

The Troopers can still lock up the #4 seed for the state tournament, provided the team wins both games on Sunday at Rock Springs.

University of Wyoming Football: Practice time is near and that means it’s about time for the media experts to start weighing in on how the season is going to turn out.

In the pre-season Mountain West Conference poll, the Wyoming Cowboys were picked to finish 10th out of 12 teams.

The only 2 teams below them are New Mexico and Nevada.

Two Pokes were selected to the Conference’s pre-season team on offense.

Those 2 are offensive linemen Caden Barnett and Jack Walsh.

Practice for UW starts on Monday, July 28th and the season opener is on Thursday, August 28th at Akron.

The home opener is on Saturday, September 6th vs. Northern Iowa.

In the conference schedule, Wyoming does not play New Mexico, Utah State or Boise State this season.

Speaking of Boise State, for the 15th consecutive season, the Broncos are the pre-season conference favorites.

Colorado Rockies Baseball: Teams have one more day off today, and the season resumes tomorrow.

The Colorado Rockies will start a 6-game homestand with 3 vs. Minnesota, followed by 3 vs. St. Louis.