Kalispell's Schmid struggles at National High School Finals Rodeo

GILLETTE, Wyo. — Kalispell’s Heidi Schmid fell off the pace she set in her first go, finishing 26th in her second pole bending performance at the National High School Finals Rodeo on Thursday at the CAM-PLEX Event Center.

Schmid ran her morning appearance in 31.821 seconds, more than 11 seconds off the pace of performance winner Kaitlyn Harwell of New Mexico. Schmid finished seventh in her first performance on Tuesday.

The time dropped her to 71st overall in the competition out of 177 entrants after Thursday. Louisiana’s Brooklyn Gunter leads all competitors with a combined time of 39.723 through two performances and Florence’s Meagan Harris holds a combined time of 41.755 to sit 17th overall and lead the in-state competitors in the event.

Melstone’s Sage Newman leads the average in saddle bronc with 156 points and is the only Montanan atop an event after Thursday’s performances.