By Ryne Rickman, UT Martin Sports Information Director
MONTICELLO, Ark. – The University of Tennessee at Martin men’s rodeo squad generated its most points in three-plus years while the women’s team claimed a third-place finish in muddy conditions this weekend at Arkansas-Monticello.
The Skyhawk cowboys compiled 770 points over the course of the three-day rodeo, 75 points higher than their previous season-high tally and the most for the program since scoring 975 points at Murray State on Nov. 21-23, 2019. As a direct result, the UT Martin men came away with its third runner-up finish of the 2022-23 campaign, trailing only Missouri Valley College (795 points) in the standings.
On the women’s side, the Skyhawks earned 222 points for their third-best scoring total of the 2022-23 season. UT Martin’s weekend performance ranked just behind West Alabama (405 points) and Missouri Valley College (272) in the team standings.
Cole Walker dominated in calf roping, winning the event with an 18.8 average. That came after the senior from Sparta, Tenn. ranked second in the field in the opening round (10.0) and in the short go (8.8).
In saddle bronc riding, Jack Smithson performed extremely well with top-tier performances in all three phases. He placed second in average (134), second in the short round (72) and third in the opening go (62).
Three Skyhawk cowboys accrued points in steer wrestling, headed by Jesse Keysaer (third with an 18.7 average, fourth with a 6.2 in the opening round, fifth with a 12.5 in the short go). Logan Neal’s third-place time of 5.8 seconds in the first round and Cannon Smith’s 7.1-second effort in the opening go (fifth-best time in the field) were also good enough to secure team points.
Grace Bryant accounted for a large chunk of points in goat tying as the junior out of Pendleton, SC finished second in the first round (7.0 flat) and third in both average (14.3) and in the short go (7.3). Emma Kate Wilder additionally provided points after her 7.3 time in the first round was part of a five-way split of fourth place.
UT Martin’s Walker and Will McCraw put together a commanding performance in team roping, nearly sweeping all three phases of the event. Their 11.4 average and 4.9 in the short go were both the best marks in the field while their 6.5 in the opening round ranked second.
The women’s score received a boost from Savannah Moran’s solid point totals in barrel racing. She placed fourth in average (28.91), fourth in the opening round (14.56) and fifth in the short go (14.35).
Both Skyhawk teams will proudly host the 55th Annual UT Martin Spring College Rodeo on campus next week. Action will take place on Thursday, April 13 through Saturday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m. each night at the Ned McWherter Agricultural Complex.
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information