RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – It was a highly successful spring-opening rodeo for both University of Tennessee at Martin squads this weekend as the men’s team ranked atop the standings while the Skyhawk cowgirls finished as runner-up at Arkansas Tech.
The UT Martin men’s team earned its first victory since its own home rodeo on April 13-15, 2023 behind a sound showing of 515 points, a season-high tally and five points better than second-place Missouri Valley College. On the women’s side, the Skyhawks’ 215 points were their second-highest total of the 2024-25 campaign and trailed only Missouri Valley College’s 260 points.
Kolby Krieger dominated in calf roping, pacing a strong UT Martin effort in that event. A junior from Fredricktown, Mo., Krieger won all three phases as he placed first in average (17.9), in the short go (9.9) and in the opening round (8.0). Caden Ussery also received points in each of the three stages as he placed third in the first round (10.0) and fourth in both the short go (13.5) and average (23.5). Noah Beshears became the third Skyhawk cowboy to garner points in all three phases as he placed fourth in the opening go (10.5), fifth in the short round (13.9) and sixth in average (24.4). Owen Larrick also supplied points for UT Martin as his time of 11.0 flat in the opening round was good enough for fifth place.
In breakaway roping, Lainey Hutchison managed points in all three phases as she placed third in the opening round (2.2), split fourth in average (5.3) and finished fifth in the short go (3.1). Anna Wilder came in third place in both average (5.1) and in the short round (2.5) while Rylee Wells’ time of 2.1 seconds in the opening go was good enough for second place.
Emma Kate Wilder performed extremely well in goat tying, winning the opening round (7.5) before placing fourth in average (17.4) and sixth in the short go (9.9). Anna Wilder split fifth in the first go of the event after posting a time of 8.8 seconds.
Krieger added to his fantastic weekend with more points in team roping. He joined forces with Pearl River’s Trent Davis to win the average (12.7) and short round (5.0) while splitting fourth with a 7.7 in the opening go. Ussery also earned more points to his credit after generating third-place finishes in both average (17.3) and in the short go (9.4) while placing sixth in the first round (7.9) alongside Southern Arkansas’ Dakota Benight.
A trio of Skyhawk cowgirls accumulated points in barrel racing, led by Josie Luttrell. The senior out of Morganfield, Ky. won the average (32.35) while placing second in the short round (16.29) and third in the opening go (16.06). Allie Sherman’s time of 15.88 seconds in the first round was the best time in the field while Anna Wilder finished sixth in both average (37.3) and in the second go (21.09).
UT Martin will look to carry over its momentum into next weekend when it travels to Meridian, Miss. for a rodeo hosted by East Mississippi Community College on March 13-15.