The UTM rodeo team opened its 2002-03 season this past weekend with a second-place and a fourth-place finish in the Missouri Valley College Rodeo at Marshall, Mo.

The men’s team claimed second place with 160 points while the women were fourth with 110 points.

“We have two good teams, but we didn't show that there,” said John Luthi, UT Martin rodeo coach.

“We made a lot of mistakes. We beat ourselves more than we got beat.”

On the men’s side, the University of West Alabama won the team title with 245 points. UTM was tied with Murray State for second.

Both teams finished with 160 points.

Jacob Gee finished second in the bareback long go, first in the short go and second in the average.

Randall Gillespie was second in the calf roping long go and fourth in the short go. He calimed fourth in the average.

In the women’s breakaway, UTM’s Danielle Beckwith was third in the short go and second in the average.

Curtis Griffin picked up points in the steer wrestling for UTM. He finished tied for fourth in the long go, while teammate Zach Waggoner finished third in the short go. Waggoner ended up third in the steer wrestling average.

Jamie Fawn Kouwe was third in the goat tying long go. In the barrel racing, UTM’s Courtney Barnfield won the long go.

In the bull riding event, Curtis Griffin finished third in the short go and fourth in the average.

“We need to take care of ourselves,” Luthi said.

“This will be one of the most competitive seasons in the Ozark Region that I have ever seen since I’ve been here. There are a lot of good teams. It is going to be an interesting and fun year.” The UTM rodeo team will travel to Magnolia, Ark., Thursday to compete in the Southern Arkasas rodeo.

Action continues through Saturday.

<I>Courtesy of Sports Information</I>