If you must look at the Ozark Region rodeo standings go ahead. While you're looking, go ahead and take a peak at the national NIRA standings. The UTM men's rodeo team has quietly climbed to the top of the regional standings and after seven rodeos, the Skyhawks are ranked third in the nation.

The men's rodeo team finished second in this past week's Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) Rodeo in Tifton, Ga. UTM cowboys collected 300 points, while Southern Arkansas won the team competition with 350 points.

Missouri Valley College was third with 193 points. Like so many of the other teams at UTM, the rodeo team has been forced to compete in the rain. All but one performance at the ABAC rodeo was in the rain.

With that focus, UTM moved into first place by 27 points, passing the University of West Alabama. "We don't have any breathing room," Luthi said. "We must continue to work hard and take advantage of all our opportunities."

UTM Scotty NeSmith won the bareback average. He finished fourth in the first go and first in the second go.

NeSmith's teammate, Whit Ashe, finished second in the bareback second go and third in the average.

Ashe also finished tied for second in the saddle bronc second go, while Justin Pope finished second in the steer wrestling long go.

Ashe didn't quit after working the two events.

He competed in the bull riding and finished second in the long go and short go. He also finished second in the average.

Curtis Griffin was fourth in the bull riding long go, third in the short go and third in the average.

Griffin is currently leading the Ozark Region in the all-around with 651 points and he's leading the region in the bull riding with 385 points.

On the women's side, UT Martin finished tied for first in the ABAC rodeo with 235 points.

The University of Arkansas-Monticello also finished with 235 points.

The UTM women's team is currently fourth in the Ozark region with 660 points. Missouri Valley College leads the region with 1,250 points, while Arkansas-Monticello is second with 800 points and Murray State is third with 715 points.

“The women's team is making progress as well,” Luthi said. Jamie Fawn Kouwe worked the breakaway roping and finished second in the short go and in the average. In the goat tying event, UT Martin's Lyndsie Brower won the long go, finished third in the short go and won the average.

Kouwe was fourth in the long go, tied for first in the short go and second in the average.