LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) — This year's Miss Wyoming is balancing life as a college student with a busy travel schedule.

Lexie Madden was the third-runner up in the 86th Miss America pageant in Las Vegas last month. It was the best finish for Wyoming since 1948.

The 21-year-old Torrington native is a senior kinesiology major at the University of Wyoming. She also played volleyball at Sheridan College.

She told the Associated Press that she'll make her first trip to New York City for Miss America's homecoming next month. She also plans to host a world champion auctioneering contest in June and judge a pageant in Houston this summer.

Madden's goal is to work as a pediatric occupational therapist. She hopes to continue her studies near Jacksonville, Fla., where her boyfriend, UW standout Chris Prosinski, is based.

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