MAGNOLIA, Ark. - The University of West Alabama Rodeo program nearly swept Southern Arkansas' Rodeo on Saturday as the Women's team placed first while the Men's team came in second.
West Alabama's Women's team picked up their first win of the year, registering 265 points while the Men's squad picked up 610, just 60 points shy of Missouri Valley College.
WOMEN'S TEAM - First Place | 265 Points
Coming into Saturday's Championship round, the Tigers had six athletes make the cut with Allie Sherman, Sydney Poole, Andi Norwood, Erin McLaughlin, Ivy Bone, and Avery Pilgrim all competing to win their respective event.
Sherman led the way for UWA as the junior recorded 150 points in the Barrel Racing which was good enough to win the event. In the Breakaway Roping, Poole turned him her best performance of the year as the reigning Ozark All-Around Champion accumulated 95 points, adding on to West Alabama's winning total. Alongside Poole in the Breakaway Roping event was Norwood. The freshman continues to impress as she registered 55 points on Championship Saturday.
To round out UWA's winning performance, Bone recorded 30 points in the Team Roping, McLaughlin accumulated 30 points in the Goat Tying, and Pilgrim garnered 20 points in the Barrel Racing.
MEN'S TEAM - Second Place | 610 Points
Amongst West Alabama's Men's Team, eight representatives made it to Saturday. Out of those eight, five Tigers recorded 100 or more points. Kota Wilhite led the way with 130 points in the Tie Down Roping as his momentum continues in the 2025-26 campaign. Sam McBride and Stone Reeves teamed up in the Team Roping event and registered 115 points while Reeves then added 100 points in the Tie Down Roping. Also, in the Team Roping, Teigan Orr teamed up with EMCC's Lucas Cohen and accumulated 100 points.
Tanner Brown and Grey Wells were also Short Round Qualifiers and combined for 60 points in the Tie Down Roping event to help UWA to their 610 score.
West Alabama's will look to take their momentum into Monticello, Arkansas next weekend as they gear up for the University of Arkansas at Monticello Rodeo.
