MARTIN, Tenn. – The 56th edition of the University of Tennessee at Martin Spring College Rodeo was capped off by a sellout crowd at the Ned McWherter Agricultural Complex as both Skyhawk teams once again gave the fans a good showing over the three-day event.
The UT Martin women’s team piled up 350 points for second-place honors behind West Alabama (530 points), picking up their third top-two finish of the 2023-24 campaign. The Skyhawk men’s squad earned 215 points, which ranked sixth place in the team standings. Missouri Valley College’s 840 points were good enough for top status on the men’s side, more than doubling the score by runner-up West Alabama (395 points).
Caden Ussery was the star of the show for the UT Martin men’s squad as he was one of three Skyhawk cowboys to amass points in calf roping. The sophomore out of Huntersville, NC won the event in average (20.1) and in the short go (9.8) after splitting second in the opening round (10.3). Noah Beshears placed fifth in both average (32.7) and in the second round (20.3) while Clint Southworth’s time of 11.7 seconds in the first go ranked sixth.
A pair of UT Martin cowgirls nabbed points in breakaway roping. Anna Wilder led the way with points in all three phases, splitting second in the short go (3.0), placing third in average (6.3) and splitting fifth in the first round (3.3). Leah Pitts also secured points in all three opportunities – splitting first in the opening go (2.8) before finishing fourth in average (6.8) and fifth in the second round (4.0).
Emma Kate Wilder was responsible for the second-most points in the goat tying field. The senior from Millington, Tenn. accounted for a 13.5 average (second place), a time of 6.6 seconds in the first round (second) and 6.9 seconds in the short go (third).
Two Skyhawks managed points in barrel racing, paced by sophomore Savannah Moran. The Ripley, Ohio native placed second in average (28.0) and in the short round (13.97) after finishing sixth in the first go (14.03). She was joined by Ryanne Frecker, who came in fifth in both average (28.13) and in the opening round (14.0).
UT Martin continues its spring slate next weekend when it travels to Arkansas-Monticello for a rodeo that will take place from Thursday, April 18 through Saturday, April 20.
