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Dave Fleming, Moffat County High School rodeo coach, knows the dangers of pitting man versus beast.

When he was growing up he rode bulls like his son, Eric, does now, so he understands the sport.

But it's still nerve-wracking.

"Eric does the bull riding and rides bareback horses, and both can be dangerous," Fleming said. "Your horse can slip, steer wrestling can be dangerous. These kids really do have to be athletic."

Fleming brought Eric Fleming, Troy Vernon and Taylor Vernon to last week's state rodeo finals in Lamar for his last high school rodeo.

"We had a decent finals," he said. "It was good to see all the kids do well in their events."

In the first go, Taylor Vernon finished sixth in pole bending. On her second go, she finished second.

Eric Fleming finished seventh in team roping in the short go and eighth in steer wrestling in the short go.

Troy Vernon split second and third in bull riding in his first go.

All three managed to place well in the state rankings, with each netting at least one top-20 finish in their competitions.

For the year, Eric Fleming finished 11th in team roping and steer wrestling and 18th in tie-down roping.

Taylor Vernon finished 13th in pole bending, and Troy Vernon finished seventh in bull riding, 13th in team roping and 15th in tie-down roping.

This past season was both Fleming's first and last as head coach for the team.

Coaching, even if for only one year, was the next logical step for Fleming.

"All the parents are so involved : every parent gives out tips and pointers that it was like being a coach, anyways," he said. "Being a coach, it was more like being an administrator - I had to make sure all the kids had all their paperwork."

Fleming said the year overall was successful, even with several kids battling injuries.

"There's always small injuries," he said. "They're always battling nagging injuries, but these kids are tough. Pain is the nature of the sport."

Because he was involved in rodeo growing up, Fleming said he hoped his son Eric would go for a spin.

"I always hoped he would try it," Fleming said. "I didn't try to force him. But for me, it's always been something I've enjoyed and known about."

Fleming also knows about the other aspects of high school rodeo that don't show up on stat sheets.

"It's a pretty unique deal," he said. "Everyone roots for each other - the kids aren't competing against each other, they're competing against animals."

Going to the rodeos throughout the state also had its social benefits.

"For these kids, they would see the same people every weekend, and they became friends," he said. "I even saw some people I haven't seen since my rodeo days."