The University of Tennessee at Martin's rodeo team finished its competition in the College National Finals Rodeo on Saturday night with room for improvement next season, but also some bragging rights.

Both teams finished among the top 15 in the nation at the CNFR. The women's team cashed in on a 13th place finish while the men's team brought in a 14th place national rank.

Lyndsie Brower finished her college rodeo career by winning fourth in the nation in the goat tying and 12th in the nation in the breakaway roping. She accumulated 173.33 points in the two events during the week which earned her the runner up to the Women's National All Around title. You must earn points in two or more events at the CNFR to be eligible for this award.

Audrey Lipsky and Courtney Barnfield rounded out the women's division, competing well in the barrel race. Courtney finished the year ranked 10th in the nation and Audrey came up with a 15th place rank.

"We are looking forward to having both Audrey and Courtney back next year," said head coach John Luthi. "They both did well at the CNFR, but are capable of doing better."

On the men's team, after the first three go arounds, Josh Shackleford qualified for the championship finals in the bareback riding and Jason Dement in the calf roping. Scotty NeSmith, after his second place finish in the third go, just missed the championship finals by one point, finishing 13th in the nation.

After the Saturday night championship finals, Shackleford finished eighth in the nation in bareback riding and Dement pulled out a fifth place finish in the tie down roping.

"We made some mistakes and had some things go wrong that really hurt us," Said Luthi. "The College National Finals Rodeo is a tough rodeo to win. You have to draw good stock and take advantage of it when you do."

Zak Danison, Matt Bright and Curtis Griffin all competed well at the CNFR as well, but had a few more things going against them. Each of these look forward to taking this rodeo on next season.

"We are thankful both teams finished in the top 15 in the nation," said Luthi. "But we are looking toward next year. With all but Lyndsie Brower and Josh Shackleford returning, I feel like we gained some valuable experience at the CNFR and hopefully learned some things that will help us in the future."