CASPER, Wyo. — Troy University juniors Clint Keller and Mark Gentry got off to a good start today in the team roping competition at the National College Finals Rodeo at the Casper Events Center.

The tandem posted a time of 7.6 seconds on their first ride, good enough to tie for sixth place early in the 61st annual event. The duo was the first to compete in the early session today and will be the final pair to ride in the afternoon session.

Keller, from Winston-Salem, NC, and Gentry, from Pelham, Ala., are one of 42 teams competing in the team roping competition at the NCFR. The event will run every day this week, concluding on Saturday night with the finals.

Besides the team roping duo, Troy University is also represented at the event by 2007 National Champion calf roper Ben Mayworth. The senior from Sebring, Fla., posted a time of 15.7 seconds on his first run today, putting him in a tie for 18th in the 41-man field.

Junior Mary Owens of Rome, Ga., is also competing in the barrel racing at the NCFR. She posted a time of 15 seconds flat on her first run and stands 33rd out of 46 competitors.

“It was good to get those first day jitters over with,” Troy University rodeo coach Josh Simmons said.