By Ryne Rickman, UT Martin Sports Information Director
LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of Tennessee at Martin women’s rodeo squad notched a second-place finish while the Skyhawk men’s team came in sixth place this weekend at West Alabama.
The UT Martin cowgirls were responsible for 250 points, which only trailed West Alabama (355) in the team standings. The Skyhawk cowboys posted 260 points as Missouri Valley College’s 900 points were the most by any men’s squad.
Clint Southworth collected points in calf roping as the junior from Bagdad, Ky. dialed up the best time in the field during the opening round (10.2 seconds). His 23.7 average was good enough for a fifth-place effort.
In breakaway roping, Brianna Pugh performed well in all three phases for UT Martin. The junior out of McDavid, Fla. led all cowgirls in the first go with a time of 2.3 seconds. She then placed fifth in the short round (13.1) and in average (15.4). Additionally, Emma Kate Wilder generated points with a performance of 2.6 seconds in the opening round, which ranked third in the field.
Jack Smithson finished in third place across the board in the saddle bronc riding event as his 132 average followed a 65 in the opening round and a 67 in the short go.
Three separate Skyhawk cowboys came away with points in steer wrestling, headed by Jesse Keysaer. The Culleoka, Tenn. native was third in the opening round with a time of 4.8 seconds while placing fifth in average (16) and sixth in the short go (11.2). Cannon Smith’s 4.7 seconds in the opening round was good enough for a second-place finish while Logan Neal’s 10.1 seconds in the short go was the fifth-best time in the field.
Grace Bryant stood out for the UT Martin women’s team in goat tying. The junior from Pendleton, SC generated times of 16 flat in average (second place), 8.3 seconds in the short go (third place) and 7.7 seconds during the opening round (fifth place). Jasmin Bakri additionally provided points in the event as she placed fifth in the short go (8.5) and split fifth in average (16.5).
The Skyhawks have a week away from official competition before traveling to Sikeston, Mo. for a rodeo hosted by Three Rivers College on Oct. 13-15.
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information