SLIPPERY ROCK — Four cowboys went before Logan Martin and had little luck.

This steer was slippery.

But Martin climbed onto his horse, grabbed the reigns tightly and took off for the steer.

In six seconds, he had the beast subdued.

"He wasn't a very good steer," Martin said. "Each steer makes four or five runs and I was the only one to catch this one."

That helped the Slippery Rock High graduate to claim 10th place out of more than 200 steer wrestlers at the National High School Finals Rodeo in Farmington, N.M., last week.

Martin missed the national competition last season because of basic training in the U.S. Army.

He competed in New Mexico two years ago, but he didn't place in the top 40.

So, this year — his final stab at high school rodeo glory — was even more important to Martin.

With runs of six, five and a scintillating four seconds, Martin figured he was going to finish high.

When he found out he was in the top 10, he was thrilled

"I was pretty excited," he said. "It was pretty sweet."

A professional bulldogger usually can take down a steer in 3.5 to 10 seconds.

Martin went into the nationals feeling good about his chances. But there always is that moment of trepidation that comes before performing in the largest rodeo in the world.

"I felt pretty confident, but you get into a big rodeo like that, you get pretty nervous," Martin said.

With a top-10 finish tucked under his cowboy hat, Martin could have a future in college at a school in the Midwest or West that has a rodeo team.

States such as Oklahoma, Wyoming and Texas have many colleges that feature rodeo programs.

"It would be a great place for me to go," Martin said. "Out there, you can practice a couple of times per week. The coaches out there can make you better. That's what I need to turn pro."

For the rest of this summer, though, Martin will spend his time as a member of the Army Reserve.

"I have a two-month commitment to train in the Army," Martin said. "After that, I'll come back and compete in some rodeos around here until school."