LIVINGSTON, Ala. - After a four-month break from action, the University of West Alabama Men's and Women's Rodeo team is set to return to action this week as the Tigers travel to Russellville, Arkansas for Arkansas Tech's Home Rodeo.
West Alabama was last in action on November 16 when they finished up the Murray State Rodeo, with the Women placing first with 325 points and the Men finishing second with 435 points.
With the Women's team sitting first in the Region with 1,288.33 total points and the Men planted in the No. 2 spot with 2,456 points, UWA is eager to continue to their 2024-25 season on Thursday.
"It's been a long break," said head coach Daniel Poole. "We are all looking forward to getting out of the practice pen. The opportunity to reap the rewards for our hard work is what it's all about. "
WOMEN'S RODEO
The defending back-to-back National Champions have already left their mark in the 2024-25 season as they return to work this weekend with three Rodeo wins already under their belt. Sydney Poole enters the Spring season as the team leader in total points, accumulating 503.33 which also ranks 11th in the country. Poole has done majority of her damage in the Breakaway Roping as she's registered 233.3 points in the event which ranks within the top-25 in the nation.
While Poole is exceptional in the Breakaway Roping, many would argue that Ashley Henderson is at the top of the heap in that event. Henderson begins the Spring season with 425 points already totaled in the Breakaway Roping event alone, leading to a pair of individual wins.
Poole and Henderson are the leaders of the group but what makes West Alabama so special is the depth that the roster contains. Sarah Curl, Joanna Hammett, and Meah Pinter are an example of the depth UWA possesses as the Women's squad looks to continue their winning ways, beginning on Thursday at Arkansas Tech.
MEN'S RODEO
Heading into the back half of the season, West Alabama's Men's squad carries four top-two finishes. Similar to the Women's team, the Men have been incredible, accumulating 2,456 points which placed them in the top-10 nationally for the entirety of the Fall season.
Through five Rodeos, Tanner Brown has totaled a team-high 755 points which also ranks 10th in the country. In his last outing, the senior won the Tie Down Roping event, registering 160 points. That's been Brown's forte in 2024-25 as he brings a total of 455 points in that event alone into this weekend.
While Brown dominates the Tie Down Roping, Cooper Cowan shines in the Team Roping event. As the Team Roping Header, Cowan leads the country with 625 total points while Clarke Gordon ranks 22nd with 300 points. The Team Roping duo of Cowan and Gordon will be back in action on Thursday while true freshman Stone Reeves will also resume his stellar freshman campaign.
Reeves is dominant in the Tie Down Roping as he already has a collegiate win under his belt. The freshman sits 18th in the country with 385 points in the event, making his return this weekend an anticipated one.
The Arkansas Tech Rodeo will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday and will conclude on Saturday evening.
