MAGNOLIA, Ark. - The University of West Alabama rodeo teams returned to action at Southern Arkansas University over the weekend. UWA's women's team took the top spot with 435 points, while the men's team took third place with 480 points.
The women collected its third victory in four shows this season, breezing past Southern Arkansas by 105 points to take the team title.
"I thought our ladies did exceptional. Half our women's team made it back to the Championship Round and a couple made it back in multiple events. There were also others who were fractions of a second out of making the top 10. We were mighty proud of them," said head coach Daniel Poole.
Joanna Hammett took home the goat trying event with times of 7.5 and 7.2 seconds in her attempts. The junior also took second in the breakaway roping event, averaging 5.2 between her two attempts. Despite the first round finish of 2.7, she missed the top mark by 0.4, tying with Baleigh Holston from Southern Arkansas for third.
In the barrel racing,
Taycie Matthews took the top spot with a 32.53 average, taking both first place finishes in each go.
Jaylie Matthews was carded in third at 33.07 average.
For the men's squad, the program earned third place with 480 points, 20 points behind Southern Arkansas for second.
"I have to give credit to Coach Brown and Coach Ladner. Finishing no worse than second in every timed event is a testament to their coaching and the determination of our guys," added Poole.
Kota Wilhite won the top spot in calf roping with a score of 18.5, winning the first go in 8.9 seconds. The senior also claimed third in the steer wrestling event, averaging 11.8 on both goes. His second go score time of six seconds flat was good for second.
Cooper Cowan and Dickson Latham of Southern Arkansas took a share of the team roping with identical scores of 6.9 and 8.0 for a 14.9 average.
Blayne Saine earned third in the calf roping with an average of 19.1. After taking third in the first attempt with a time of 10.1, the senior bounced back to win the second go with a 9.0-second throw.
The fall schedule concludes on Nov. 16-18 with the Murray State Rodeo show in Kentucky.
