Carly Besser
Staff writer
After a good deal of bucking, roping and lassoing, the 36th annual Murray State rodeo came to an end Sunday. The annual event hosted OZARK region opponents such as UT-Martin, University of Arkansas-Monticello, Missouri Valley College, Troy University, Three Rivers College, East Mississippi Community College, University of West Alabama and Northwest Mississippi Community College.
The first two nights of the rodeo served as longhand competition, which determined the top 10 cowboys and cowgirls in each event to compete in the final night’s shorthand competition.
The bareback riding event featured Murray State’s Logan Corbett, who placed runner-up with a final score of 152, as well as Zach Colston and Aaron Popham. Tanner Aus from MVC won with a final score of 154.
“I felt pretty good about my riding this weekend,” Corbett said. “But I had a pretty tough horse to ride, and that always affects the final score.”
The saddle bronc riding event featured Murray State’s Austin Joseph, who is currently No. 1 in the OZARK region. Joseph left the competition with a third place finish and a final score of 76 points. In the shorthand, MVC cowboy Jordan Corrigan won first place with 149 combined points. Runner-up was UT-Martin’s Ty Hughston with a score of 139.
“The boys represented saddle bronc riding really well,” Murray State Coach JD VanHooser said. “Joseph had a good run.”
The team roping shorthand featured Murray State cowboys Landon Crull and Jarrett McLaughlin who placed eighth overall. UT-Martin ropers Ben Walker and Clark Adcock won team roping with an impressive time of 15.9 seconds. Runner-up went toArkansas-Monticello cowboys Cody Burns and Russell Kreider with 16.8 seconds.
”We would have had a good shot at team roping if we could get some of that focus back we had in the days earlier,” VanHooser said. “We messed up a little but it happens every now and then.”
The barrel racing event featured three Murray State cowgirls, Kristen Yunker, Hannah Reil and Allyson Hayes, as finalists. First place went to UT-Martin cowgirl Tawny Foster who finished with 30.07 seconds. Yunker earned runner-up with 30.22 seconds.
Overall, VanHooser said he is pleased with the performance of the Racer rodeo team.
“We had a really good weekend and did well proving that we can compete,” VanHooser said. “That’s what rodeo is about.”
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