CASPER, Wyo., - More strong performances by National American University women's rodeo team have bolstered the Mavericks' chances for a team title run at the College National Finals Rodeo at the Casper Events Center.

NAU's Lacey Curr and Jessica Painter are both in good shape to reach Saturday's finals after posting times near the top during Wednesday's third go-round

Curr bounced back from a disappointing 8-second time during Tuesday morning's slack to tie for first, clocking a 6.4 on Wednesday. Her total of 22.2 on three has her sixth overall in the average.

She had a tough goat in the second round on Tuesday," said NAU coach Glen Lammers. "She did what she needed to do by tying for first in the third go-round."

Painter's 6.7 clocking on Wednesday gave her a 21.3 on three, good for a solid third in the average.

Nikki Steffes placed 1st and 2nd in the first two rounds of goat tying, but was still awaiting her third try as of Wednesday night.

The top 12 advance to Saturdays' championship finals. The Mavericks are currently seventh in the women's team standings.

Barrel racer Krista Minow didn't ride Wednesday, but sits sixth in the overall standings for the event.

"If we can qualify three or four girls in the finals it would really enhance our chances for the overall team title," Lammers said.

The Mavericks are without one of their top athletes in Jena Lien who broke her wrist just at the Yellow Jacket Stampede in Spearfish.

She is not able to compete in her top event, goat-tying, but soldiered on in barrel racing. Lien clocked a 20.44 Wednesday. Her 50.67 left her 20th in the average.

"She's at a disadvantage with her left arm in a cast," Lammers said.

"The other girls have stepped up for us and we're really excited about that," he said

We're happy to still be in the top ten in the nation in spite of one of our top players being kind of out," he added.

The Maverick men's team is 32nd in the team race.

Tyler Thiel remains a bright spot for NAU, remaining third in the average in tie-down roping.

"The guys are doing all they can," Lammers said. "Tyler has a good chance to qualify and we're excited about that."

Today's continuing third-round will see team ropers Chance Schuknecht and Jessica Hemphill to the events center dirt for their first runs.

O.J. Heidler will try to rebound from a no-score on Tuesday with his third ride in saddle bronc today.

Updated results and standings from Wednesday were not available at the Journal's deadline Wednesday night.