MARTIN, Tenn. - The University of West Alabama Men's Rodeo team picked up their second Rodeo win of the season at UT Martin this weekend while the Women placed second.
The Men's team cashed in on 690 points to secure their win while the Women fell 55 points shy of a victory, finishing with 215 total points.
"We are very proud of our Men's Team," said head coach Daniel Poole. "It gets really loud in that building & there's a lot of tension in the air being that it's the second to last rodeo of the year. They rose up and handled it like Champions. "
MEN'S RODEO: First Place, 690 Points
The trio of Kota Wilhite, Tanner Brown, and Clarke Gordon led the way for the Tigers as the three combined 520 points. Wilhite shined in the Tie Down Roping, accumulating an event and season-high 180 points. Brown and Gordon followed suit in the Team Roping event as the two continue to flex their muscle in that event, combining for 340 points to propel West Alabama up the leaderboard. Cooper Cowan finished near the top as well, placing third in the event with 110 points.
Brown also contributed 60 points in the Tie Down Roping while Wilder Andrews registered 100 points in the Steer Wrestling event. Evan Bourdon was alongside Andrews in the event and poured in 60 points to round out UWA's winning performance.
WOMEN'S RODEO: Second Place, 215 Points
Joanna Hammett led the Tigers' efforts as the senior placed first in the Goat Tying event with 160 points. Katelyn Carney was exceptional in the Barrel Racing event, finishing with 105 points.
West Alabama's stars from the Fall season, Sydney Poole and Ashley Henderson made their anticipated returns as the duo combined for 55 points in the Breakaway Roping to cap off a solid weekend for UWA.
"It wasn't our best championship round as a whole," said Poole. "Some shined, but there were also some mistakes made. I hope the ones that did well will carry that confidence into our final rodeo and the ones who didn't finish as well remember to not be so hard on themselves."
West Alabama will be back in action next weekend for their final Rodeo which will take place at Northwest Mississippi Community College.
