If history repeats itself, UTM rodeo fans would have to search the team’s history to find out when UTM had to make a second-half charge to win the Ozark Region championship.

Chances are this is the first time in the school’s 35-year history it rallied during the spring semester to win the coveted Ozark Region title.

UTM put the finishing touches on its regional title this past weekend when it scored 370 points to win its own rodeo in the Ned McWherter Agricultural Complex. “This is a huge victory for us,” said John Luthi, UT Martin's head rodeo coach. “We came from way back and we overcame a lot of obstacles to win this.” UTM dominated the bareback competition. Scotty NeSmith won the average, while Whit Ashe was second and Josh Shackleford was third.

Curtis Griffin won the steer wrestling short go and finished second in the event's average.

It was enough to help Griffin win the rodeo’s all-around. UTM's tandem of Lyndsie Brower and Ty Ferrell won the team roping short go and came back to win the team roping average. The UTM women finished fourth in their own rodeo with 90 points.

“We didn’t earn any byes on the women’s side to the national finals, but we have some strong opportunities to get to the national finals,” Luthi said.

Danielle Beckwith and Brower scored points for UTM when they finished second and fourth respectively in the goat tying short go.

Beckwith finished fourth in the event's average.

Senior A.J. Price added to the point tally in the barrel racing when she finished third in the short go and third in the average. In addition to the regional championship, UTM cowboys and cowgirls were competing to earn spots in the May 8-10 playoff in Lawton, Okla. Competitors must finish in the top seven in the region to earn a berth in the playoffs.

The top two in each event from the region earn automatic byes to the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) set for June in Casper, Wyo.

“It’s hard to say if we can win a national championship,” Luthi said. “It depends on who progresses from the playoffs. A national championship is not impossible.” For Griffin and NeSmith this charge to the Ozark Region title is just one more step. “The goal is to win at the CNFR,” Luthi said.