SEARCY, Ark. – For the first time this season, both University of Tennessee at Martin rodeo squads found themselves in the top-three of the standings as the Skyhawks compiled another strong performance at Arkansas Tech.
The UT Martin cowgirls dialed up a season-best 290 points – its most since a 360.2-point effort at East Mississippi on March 13-14, 2025. Meanwhile, the Skyhawk men’s team came away with 450 points for their second-highest tally of the season (only following last week’s 485 points at their home rodeo).
Cooper Stone won the average in calf roping for the second straight rodeo, placing first with a 20.4 while also posting the best time (8.8) in the short go. Clint Southworth was also dominant throughout, finishing second in the average (23.4), short round (13.4) and in the opening go (10.0 flat).
In breakaway roping, Bekah Legan placed second in average (6.2), second in the short round (3.5) and split fifth in the first go (2.7).
Freshman Daniel Wilder churned out three scoring performances in steer wrestling, finishing second in average (9.3), second in the long round (4.6) and fifth in the short go (4.7).
Five total UT Martin representatives managed points in the team roping event. The sibling duo of Daniel Wilder and Anna Wilder split fourth with a 9.4 in the opening round, alongside fellow Skyhawk Caden Ussery and Southern Arkansas’ Dakota Benight. The all-UT Martin pair of Bentley Anthony and Jace Stigall additionally generated points in the first go with a time of 9.5 seconds.
Kylie Jo Castor showed out in a return to her home state as the Highfill, Ark. native won barrel racing with a 30.87 average. That was after she placed second in the opening round (15.47) and third in the short go (15.4). Ryanne Frecker was the second Skyhawk to garner points in this event as she finished second in the short round (15.35), third in average (30.98) and fifth in the first go (15.63).
UT Martin puts the finishing touches on the 2025-26 regular season next weekend, traveling to Senatobia, Miss. for a rodeo hosted by Northwest Mississippi on Thursday, April 23 through Saturday, April 25.
