The UTM rodeo team is armed and ready going into the 2003-2004 season. With numerous recruits and many returning talents, the team has high hopes for the upcoming season. Talent comes to the team from Idaho to Wisconsin and from Michigan to Florida. Diversity is not lacking either. Talent is pouring out of these young individuals and with a little hard work and determination the team as a whole, men and women, will shine. The women’s team prepares themselves for a season with 18 cowgirls who are ready to win. Returning to the women’s team are: Courtney Barnfield, Danielle Beckwith, Lyndsie Brower, Shovaun Graham, Alyson Hayeland, Suzanne Hurdle, Erica Johnson, Jamie Fawn Kouwe, Audrey Lipsky and Kelley Jo Miller. The men’s team comes into the season with 25 cowboys who are all capable of putting themselves and the team on top. Returning for another Ozark Region Championship are: Whit Ashe, Dustin Brann, Chris Dement, Jason Dement, Randall Gillespie, Curtis Griffin, Dray Moultrie, Scotty NeSmith, Justin Pope, Nick Priddy, Michael Rose, Josh Shackleford and Zach Waggoner. Five of the returning members made the trip across the country to Casper, Wyo., where the College Nationals Finals Rodeo (CNFR) was held June 8-14. Brower, in the goat tying, Jason Dement, in the calf roping, Griffin, in the bull riding and the steer wrestling, NeSmith, in the bareback riding, and Waggoner, in the steer wrestling, all represented UTM. With the talent that has arrived for the first time and with the talent that is returning for another year, the rodeo team has the potential to bring home two regional championships this yea.r