Once again the UTM rodeo cowboys are in the lead for the Ozark Region Championship, and this time the cowgirls are right up there with them.

The rodeo team traveled to Troy, Ala. to compete at the Troy State Stampede, the third rodeo of the 2003-04 season. Both the men’s and women’s teams claimed victories to move themselves into the number one position in the region. The men’s team ran away with the points, finishing the weekend with 430 points.

Scotty NeSmith won the long-go, short-go and the average. Teammates Josh Shackleford, Matt Bright and Whit Ashe finished second, third, and fourth respectively.

Jason Dement finished fourth in the average in the calf roping. Zach Waggoner finished in second place in the steer wrestling average. Waggoner won the short-go, while Dement finished second in the long-go.

Zak Danison teamed up with Quentin Vickers from Murray State to claim the number one position in the team roping average.

Curtis Griffin claimed a strong second place finish in the bull riding with 158 points.

The women’s team racked up 210 points.

Danielle Beckwith rode to win the breakaway roping short-go and finish a strong third in the average.

In the goat tying Jamie Fawn came in with a solid first place finish in the long-go, while teammate Nikki Jackson finished fourth in the short-go.

In the barrel racing teammates Courtney Barnfield and Audrey Lipsky dominated over the others. Barnfield won the long-go while Lipsky won the short-go and Barnfield finished second.
The average was won by Barnfield and Lipsky took home second place.

“For the most part everybody is putting out a great effort,” said head rodeo coach John Luthi. “People are competing well.”