BELLE FOURCHE - The South Dakota State High School Rodeo is the climax of a long season of practice and regional events, but the best a cowboy or cowgirl can do is at least try to treat "state" as just another event.

"You have to think of it as every other rodeo, or you get too pressured up," said Stacy Doll of Prairie City.

There will be pressure aplenty for more than 300 of the state's best rodeo athletes, vying for more than a state championship at the Belle Fourche Roundup Grounds.

When the dust settles after Sunday's finals, only the top four in each event will represent South Dakota at the National High School Rodeo finals in July.

Doll, who graduated from Harding County High School in Buffalo in May, is entered in five events, girls cutting, breakaway roping, goat tying, barrel racing and pole bending.

As a senior, she knows it's now or never for her high school career.

"It's pretty emotional and nerve-wracking because it's my last time," she said.

A combination of regional standings and the state rodeo finish will determine the top four in each event.

Coming off regionals, Doll tops the girls' all-around standings,and Troy Wilcox of Red Owl heads the boys standings, but that's no guarantee of a berth on the National rodeo team. A tough weekend in Belle Fourche can keep you home for the rest of the summer.

Wilcox qualified for the National rodeo in team roping in 2006, but finished one spot short of qualifying last year when he was fifth in steer wrestling.

Wilcox is keeping his current lead in the boys all-around points in perspective.

"It feels like I've accomplished something, but I still have to keep working hard and keep doing what I've been doing," he said."I tried to focus and just take each event at a time."

The Sturgis Brown High School junior is entered in steer wrestling and calf roping and is teamed with Dalton Kelly of Quinn in team roping. He feels good about all three events.

"I'm looking forward to all of them," he said.

Doll said preparation is the key, especially with her crowded schedule this week.

"You've got to be mentally prepared going into it," Doll said.

"And you practice so that it's second nature when it's time to go do it.

Doll finished second in girls cutting last year sharing a horse with boys cutting runner-up Sam Olson of Buffalo.

"My little sister (Katie) is a freshman this year and we share some horses. She's always been there to help me with stuff," Doll said.

"My whole family's behind it and the community wants everyone to do good.

That's really helpful," she added.

"I really want to have fun because it's my last time. The people are great and Belle Fourche is always lots of fun," she said.

Boys and girls cutting highlights competition today and Thursday.

Rough Stock and timed events get underway in earnest on Friday and Saturday, with performances at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. each day.

The "short-go" finals are set for Sunday at noon.

Returning state champions include Jacey Jandreau of Kimball (breakaway roping), Trey Young of Dupree (calf roping), Alyssa Krogman of White River (girls cutting), Breelyn Cowan of Highmore (pole bending) and Taylor Cowan of Ft. Pierre (bull riding).

Justin Collins and Tyrel Porterfield of Belle Fourche paired up for last year's team roping championship, but each will have different teammates this year.

Collins will line up with Tyler Mutchler, of Newell, and Porterfield will pair with Jared Lei, of Belle Fourche.

The National High School Rodeo finals are set for July 20-26 in Farmington, N.M.