MARSHALL, Mo. – The 2024-25 University of Tennessee at Martin rodeo season officially got underway over the weekend as both Skyhawk teams took part in the event hosted by Missouri Valley College.
The UT Martin women’s team tallied 185 points, ranking third behind in the standings behind Missouri Valley College (370 points) and Southern Arkansas (255). On the men’s side, the Skyhawks finished eighth with 50 points as West Alabama’s 560 points topped the field.
Bentley Anthony paced UT Martin in his collegiate debut as the freshman out of Hohenwald, Tenn. placed third in the opening go (10.7) and sixth in average (30.9) in calf roping. Caleb Dunn also provided points in the event as his 18.9 in the short round placed sixth in the field.
In breakaway roping, Rylee Wells accumulated points for the Skyhawks in breakaway roping. The sophomore from Summerville, Ga. came in fourth place in the first round (2.6) while her 2.6 average split sixth in the field.
A pair of UT Martin cowgirls earned points in goat tying, led by Emma Kate Wilder in all three phases. She finished fourth in average (16.6), split fourth in the short go (8.8) and placed sixth in the opening round (7.8). Lainey Hutchison also produced a time of 7.8 seconds in the first go, tying Wilder for sixth.
Savannah Moran was one of three Skyhawk women’s squad members to pile up points in barrel racing. She placed second with a 29.82 average, third with a 14.91 in the short round and fourth with an identical 14.91 in the opening go. Ryanne Frecker additionally came away with points in all three phases, posting a 14.88 in the first round (third place), a 15.02 in the short go (split fourth) and a 29.9 average (good enough for fourth place). Allie Maxwell also posted a great time of 14.84 seconds in the opening round, which was the second-best mark in the field.
UT Martin is right back at it next weekend, traveling to West Alabama for a rodeo that will take place on Thursday, Sept. 26 through Saturday, Sept. 28.
