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Rodeo Kicks In


For many spectators the 35th annual UTM Martin spring college rodeo will be pure entertainment. For the UTM cowboys and cowgirls, this year's rodeo will be a battle.

"We're excited to have this opportunity to perform at home," said UTM rodeo coach John Luthi.

For the UTM men's team, a regional title is on the line. The team enters the final Ozark Region of the season with a 72-point lead over the University of West Alabama (UWAL).

"It all comes down to who has the best rodeo," Luthi said. Curtis Griffin enters the rodeo with a chance to claim the region all-around title. He has a 61-point lead over UWAL's Jacob Littlefield. A cowboy has to compete in at least two events to have a chance to win the all-around.

Scotty NeSmith will vie for the regional bareback championship. He enters the final rodeo trailing Missouri Valley's Jay Scott by eight points.

Griffin can win the regional steer wrestling title with a good rodeo. He currently leads the region with 305 points and holds a 10-point advantage over UWAL's Dustin Merritt. UTM’s Zach Waggoner is currently third in the steer wrestling with 265 points.

The regional title and the reserve title entitles a cowboy to an automatic berth in the national finals rodeo in June.

On the women's side, UTM enters its own rodeo in fourth place with 860 points.

The regional championship belongs to Missouri Valley who has racked up 1,600 points. Murray State is currently second, while UWAL is third. "Our women have a realistic chance at finishing second, if they go out and take advantage of their opportunities," Luthi said.

Courtney Barnfield can take second in the barrel racing with a solid performance this week. Barnfield is currently third with 220 points. She trails Arkansas-Monticello's Linsey Nixon by five points.

This past week, the UTM men's team won the Arkansas State rodeo with 425 points. UWAL was second with 320 points. Scotty NeSmith won the bareback average, while Jason Dement was third in the calf roping average. Curtis Griffin finished second in the steer wrestling average and won the bull riding average.

The UTM women's team finished fifth in the Arkansas State rodeo. Jaime Fawn Kouwe finished second in the goat tying average.

Rodeo contestants are vying for a berth in the playoffs and the national finals. To earn a spot in the playoffs a contestant must finish among the top 12 in the region in his respective event. If a contestant finishes first or second in the region he automatically qualifies for the national finals, must he must compete in the playoffs.

UTM's 35th Annual Spring College Rodeo is set for Thursday-Saturday, April 10-12, in the Ned McWherter Agricultural Complex on campus. The championship finals, sponsored this year by Vanderbilt Sports Medicine, gets under way at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 12.

Advance tickets for the rodeo are on sale now at several Northwest Tennessee locations, including Woods Communications Cellular Source and Weakley Farmers Co-op in Martin; Fairview Saddlery in Dresden; The Cowboy Store in Clarksburg; Weakley Farmers Co-op in Gleason; Woods Communication Cellular Source in Union City; and Brawner Boots in Greenfield.

Advance ticket prices are $7 each for adults. Children ages 5 and under are free with a paid adult. UTM students, high school students and all other children are $5 each. A weekend pass good for all three nights of the rodeo, April 10-12, is also available for $15. Advance tickets are good for Friday, April 11 and Saturday, April 12. Performances start each night at 7:30. Doors open at 6 p.m. The rodeo opened at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 10. All tickets are $5 each and are only available at the door. Children, ages 9 and under, are free with a paid adult. General admission tickets for tonight and Saturday performances are $8 each for adults; $6 each for UTM and all students; and children, ages 5 and under, are free with a paid adult.

For more information, contact ticket office manager Jenny Canary at (731) 587-7685.