By Ryne Rickman, UT Martin Sports Information Director
MONTICELLO, Ark. – After a one-week hiatus, the University of Tennessee at Martin rodeo squads were back in action this weekend at Arkansas-Monticello as the Skyhawk women placed third and the men’s team finished sixth in the standings.
The UT Martin women’s team earned its third top-three finish of the 2021-22 season, piling up 150 points. On the flipside, the Skyhawk cowboys were responsible for 195 points over the three-day event.
Blake Leamon tallied points in bareback riding as his 58 in the opening round split fifth while his 108 average was good enough for sixth place.
In calf roping, Clint Southworth managed points in all three phases. The sophomore from Bagdad, Ky. finished fourth in average (19.7), fourth in the short go (9.8) and fifth in the opening round (9.9).
Jack Smithson accounted for 90 total points in saddle bronc riding, finishing in fourth place across the board (120 average, 61-point first-round ride, 59-point short go performance).
The UT Martin men’s team also received a big lift out of Jesse Keysaer, who stood out in the steer wrestling event. His time of 4.6 seconds split second in the opening go before he placed fourth in both average (17.6) and in the short round (13.0).
A pair of Skyhawk cowgirls collected points in goat tying, led by Emma Kate Wilder. The freshman out of Millington, Tenn. boasted the best time (7.9 seconds) in the first round and followed that with a second-place effort in average (16.4) and a third-place finish in the short go (8.5). Lauren Heck additionally secured points in the event, splitting third following a time of 8.5 seconds in the first round.
Madison McFall put the finishing touches on a successful rodeo for the women’s squad, excelling in barrel racing. She placed second in the opening round (14.7), fourth in the short go (14.74) and fourth in average (29.44).
UT Martin concludes the regular season next weekend when it heads to Senatobia, Miss. for a rodeo hosted by Northwest Mississippi Community College on April 28-30.
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information