LIVINGSTON, Ala. - The University of West Alabama Men's and Women's Rodeo team concluded the 2024 UWA Rodeo Showdown on Saturday, with the Women's team taking home first place while the Men finished in second.
After finishing in fifth place at the Viking Stampede Rodeo last weekend, the Women's squad bounced back at the Tigers' home Rodeo, finishing with 280 points which propelled them to their first win of the young 2024-25 season. For the Men, they continue their hot start to the new campaign, by recording 550 points, finishing five points behind first-place Missouri Valley College.
"Overall we are pleased with how the results shook out this weekend, said head coach Daniel Poole. "I have to give all the credit to Coach Brown, Coach Ladner and our Team's winning mindset."
WOMEN'S RODEO - 280 Points
Ashley Henderson was the star of the weekend for UWA as she dominated the Breakaway Roping Event with an event-high 180 points. After only accumulating 80 points in the event last weekend at the Viking Stampede, Henderson was sharp at the UWA Rodeo Showdown, accumulating 100 more points than she did last weekend which ultimately led West Alabama to their first Rodeo win of the year. While Henderson stood above all, Sarah Curl and Joanna Hammett also performed well for UWA. Curl and Hammett both competed in the Goat Tying Event and combined for 255 points, with Curl leading the way with 140 and Hammett right behind her with 115. Neither Curl or Hammett competed last weekend, with the UWA Rodeo Showdown standing as the duo's season debut where they put on an impressive showing.
Hammett also joined Sydney Poole, Katelyn Carney, and Summerlin O'Neill in the Barrel Racing Event. The quartet of Tigers combined for 170 points in the event, with Hammett leading the way with 70 individual points.
MEN'S RODEO - 550 Points
In a competitive men's field, Kota Wilhite led the way as the graduate student recorded an event-high 170 points after registering a 18.8 average in the Tie Down Roping. Wilhite was joined by Stone Reeves, who was the standout at last weekend's Rodeo, Greyson Wells, and Clay Livengood. Similar to last weekend, Reeves was stellar once again as the freshman accumulated 120 points in the Tie Down Roping, just 50 points shy of Wilhite's mark. While Wilhite and Reeves combined for 290 points, Wells and Livengood rounded out the event with a combined 40 points.
West Alabama featured three participants in the Steer Wrestling event, with Evan Bourdon, Gavin Lee, and Sam Lewis joining the field. Bourdon led the group of Tigers with 100 points while Lee and Lewis combined to pick up 80 points.
UWA rounded out their weekend in the Team Roping as the event featured Cooper Cowan, Tanner Brown, and Clarke Gordon. Cowan led the way with a 19.2 average, resulting in 90 points while Brown and Gordon both recorded 80 points, helping UWA to their second-place finish.
"We now have to keep our foot on the gas as we get prepared for UAM," coach Poole continued. "We can't thank the community enough for all the support we received this weekend. It was an unforgettable three days of rodeo."
After an explosive and entertaining showing at their home Rodeo, West Alabama now has their sights on Monticello, Arkansas as the Tigers are set to compete in the University of Arkansas Monticello's home Rodeo, beginning on Thursday, October 3.
