MURRAY, Ky. – The fall season ended on a high note for the University of Tennessee at Martin women’s rodeo squad as the Skyhawks captured first-place honors at Murray State over the weekend.
UT Martin came away with 373.33 points, which cleared runner-up Pearl River (345) for the top finish in the six-team standings. It marked the first victory for the Skyhawk women’s squad since winning the 55th Annual UT Martin Spring College Rodeo on April 13-15, 2023.
Five separate Skyhawk cowgirls generated points in the breakaway roping event. That list was headed by Emma Kate Wilder, who split first in the short go (2.7) and ranked second in average (5.8). Leah Pitts split fourth in the opening round (2.8) while Brianna Pugh placed third in average (5.9), third in the short round (2.9) and split sixth in the opening go (3.0). Kyndall Woltz and Anna Wilder additionally split sixth in the first round with matching times of 3.0 seconds.
The Wilder sisters showed out in goat tying. Anna placed fourth in average (14.4), fourth in the short round (7.6) and split fourth in the first go (6.8). Emma Kate ranked third in the first round (6.7) and followed that with fifth-place efforts in the short go (9.0) and in average (15.7).
Four UT Martin cowgirls accumulated points in barrel racing. Madde Shelton nearly swept all three phases of the event, winning in average (27.88) and in the short go (13.88) while placing second in the opening round (14.00). Savannah Moran finished second in the short round (14.01) and third in average (28.35) while Ryanne Frecker (split fourth, 14.13) and Anna Wilder (sixth, 14.26) also picked up points in the opening go.
The Skyhawk rodeo teams resume their 2023-24 schedule in March as five events take place before the 76th Annual College National Finals Rodeo on June 9-15.
