By Ryne Rickman, UT Martin Sports Information Director
MURRAY, Ky. – The University of Tennessee at Martin rodeo squads put a bow on its fall season over the weekend at Murray State as the women’s team placed third and the men’s squad came in fourth place.
The Skyhawk women’s team dialed up 235 points, which was only five points shy of second-place honors in the seven-team field. On the men’s side, UT Martin accumulated 340 points in the nine-team standings.
In calf roping, Clint Southworth earned the best time in the field during the opening round with a 9.3 for the Skyhawk men’s squad.
The UT Martin cowgirls received a big scoring contribution out of Emma Kate Wilder in breakaway roping. The junior out of Millington, Tenn. placed third in the short round (2.8) and fourth in average (5.9).
Jack Smithson performed extremely well in saddle bronc riding, delivering 150 points to the Skyhawks’ team tally. He was responsible for a first-place effort with a score of 70 in the firs round before finishing second in average (135) and third in the short go (65).
Logan Neal was the other heavy contributor to the UT Martin cowboys’ success as he nearly swept top honors in all three phases of steer wrestling. His average (12.6) and first-round times (5.8) were the best in the field while his 6.8 in the short round was good enough for second place.
Wilder was back at it in goat tying, claiming points for the women’s team in all three phases. Her time of 7.4 seconds in the first round ranked third while she split third in the short go (7.5) and placed fourth in average (14.9).
In team roping, Neal joined forces with Murray State’s Allen Morse as he and the former Skyhawk cowboy posted a fifth-place effort in the opening round (7.4 seconds).
Allie Maxwell generated 60 points for the women’s squad after her dominant performance in the opening round of the barrel racing event. The freshman from Milan, Tenn. accounted for the best time in the field, crossing the line in 13.78 seconds.
Now midway through its 2022-23 schedule, UT Martin will step away from team competition for almost four months. The Skyhawks open their spring slate in Meridian, Miss. on March 16-18 at a rodeo hosted by East Mississippi Community College.
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information