DOUGLAS - It was just the kind of ride Kaleb Asay wanted on Sunday.

The saddle bronc rider from Powell drew bucking horse Show Me The Cards, which he said was probably the strongest horse he's ever ridden, in the short go-round of the Wyoming State High School Finals Rodeo.

The horse took him for a ride, launching out of the bucking shoot and almost immediately unloading into a right-hand spin. But when it was over, Asay scored 77 points, good enough not only for a state championship, but the perfect practice run heading into the High School National Finals Rodeo, where he will look for a second consecutive national title.

"I've had dreams about riding (Show Me The Cards)," Asay said. "I've seen some of my heroes ride him at the pro level. I didn't ride him as good as they did."

It was good enough for the senior, who has already taken a few rides on the professional circuit and will attend Casper College in the fall.

Mills' RayTom Meiers had just recorded a 78 as Asay mounted up and prepared to take his ride.

"I knew it was going to be hard," Asay said. "I needed that to beat RayTom and we've been fighting it out all year."

Asay said he's excited to have a shot at winning a second straight national championship. He only knew of one other cowboy to win the saddle bronc riding title twice.

"I'm excited, but it's going to be tough," Asay said. "The other guys from Wyoming are great and have just as good a chance."

Like many other cowboy families out there, rodeo is in the Asay blood.

Kaleb's brother, Kanin, rides bulls at the professional level, where he was sitting sixth in the earnings standings after last weekend.

Despite the fact that they take part in different events and have busy schedules, the brothers remain as close as ever.

"I try to talk to him just about every day," Kaleb said. "He rides bulls, so it's different, but I've learned a lot from him about scheduling and planning. He's really organized."

The organizational skills should come in handy as Kaleb steps up his pro schedule this summer.

Asay said he has already been to three pro rodeos this year and cashed a check after a successful trip to Grover, Colo.

He'll travel to a few more in July and August before settling in for the fall collegiate season in Casper. He said he's excited to be a part of what he thinks will be a great team under Casper College coach Tom Rogers.

"I know him pretty well because he was my dad's ag teacher at Cody," Asay said. "He actually offered me a scholarship as a sophomore and he's been really up front about everything, which I like."

Rogers and Casper will probably like Asay just as much.

After all, the team which failed to qualify any athletes for the College National Finals Rodeo this season, just might have a two-time national champ on the fall roster.

Contact Eric Schmoldt at (307) 266-0578 or eric.schmoldt@casperstartribune.net

2007 WYOMING NATIONAL QUALIFIERS

Unofficial

After Sunday's State Championship Performance

Saddle Bronc Riding: Kaleb Asay, Powell; RayTom Meiers, Mills; Colt Hamaker, Centennial; Merritt Smith, Gillette.

Goat Tying: Jordan Thurston, Lance Creek; Dana Weiser, Wheatland; Jaime Musfelt, Lusk; Devin Nicholls, Kinnear.

Breakaway Roping: Katie Curtis, Cody; Kelsey Scott, Douglas; Randa Clabaugh, Arvada; Shawn Reynolds, Rozet.

Team Roping: Chance and Dahl Nicholls, Kinnear; Jake Mangis, Jackson and Jaguar Terrill, Craig (Colo. ); Brad and Matt Schieck, Riverton; Kade Merritt, Greeley and Troy Teague, Kinnear.

Tie Down Roping: Chance Hampton, Riverton; Tim Malm, Albin; Troy Hubbard, Wheatland; Jaguar Terrill, Craig ( Colo.).

Bull Riding: Tyler Willis, Wheatland; Kyle Joss, Douglas; Kasey Braun, Thayne; Casey Cash, Gillette.

Bareback Riding: Kyle Joss, Douglas; Sonny Taylor, Thayne; Dalton Hall, Rozet; Kasey Braun, Thayne.

Pole Bending: Devin Nicholls, Kinnear; Mandy Jasperson, Thayne; Megan Belus, Buffalo; Chelse Felts, Cody.

Barrel Racing: Treva Bitterman, Wheatland; Raegen Scott, Douglas; Maggie Boyle, Parkman; Crystal Hershey, Newcastle.

Steer Wrestling: Chance Hampton, Riverton; Troy Teague, Kinnear; Dustin Smith, Cheyenne; Brayden Huxtable, Douglas.

Girls Cutting: Katie Curtis, Cody; Andrea James, Daniel; Jenna Dobrenz, Gillette; Kaitlyn Keller, Worland.

Boys Cutting: AJ Fuchs, Teton Village; Dustin Smith, Cheyenne; Merritt Smith, Gillette; Jacob Licking, Douglas.