Aiken teen in contention at nationals

Aiken's Maggie Boyle finds herself in contention after her first run in the barrel racing competition at the National High School Rodeo Finals in Farmington, N.M. at McGhee Park.

The 17 year-old and her 13 year-old Quarter Horse gelding Magnum Force GE arrived in New Mexico Friday, and had their first run during the Sunday evening performance. They'll run back in their 2nd Go-Round Saturday morning as the top 20 will have a chance to return for Saturday evening's final performance.

Boyle, who is a rising senior at Aiken Preparatory School, and her horse Magnum GE, finished third in 2007 and were 11th last year in the NHSRF.

The margin between the horsemen and their horses in the top 10 often comes down to less than two-tenths of a second, leaving very little room for error. The 1st Go-Round leader is Tanisha Adams, Albion, Idaho, 17.317; Michele Allison, Lake City, Fla., 17.372 is second and Shelby Maxfield, Heber, Utah is third with a first run time of 17.401. Boyle's 1st Go-Round time was 17.549, leaving her in 10th position. There are 167 horsemen competing in the barrel racing class.

"She'll run again Saturday morning," said Julie Boyle, Maggie's mother in a phone interview Thursday afternoon. "She'll be the last one to run in the second 10, so she'll know where she stands as of Saturday morning."

Boyle is also a member of the National Barrel Horse Association and the National High School Rodeo Association and was named to the Wrangler High School All-Star Rodeo team.

South Carolina is currently 25th in the team standings, and the girls team is currently in the 18th position.

Callie Martin, Anderson, is in 12 position in pole bending; is in 10th place in the All Around Cowgirl competition and 5th in All Around Rookie Cowgirl division.

Contact Ben Baugh at bbaugh@aikenstandard.com.

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