It was a big weekend for the UT Martin rodeo team, who hosted the 54th annual Spring College Rodeo, running from Thursday, April 7, through Saturday, April 9, at the Ned McWherter Agricultural Pavilion.
It was also Coach John Luthiās last rodeo as the coach of the UT Martin rodeo team. After 25 years of dedication to his team, he has announced he is retiring.
While his contributions to the UT Martin rodeo team will be remembered, his athletes said the impact he has had on his them will be held even closer to their hearts.
Morgan Summerlin, a barrel racer for UT Martin, said, āHe has taught us the importance of goal-setting, overcoming circumstances with a positive mindset and making the best of where we are in the moment in order to get where we want to be.
āThe lessons that Coach Luthi taught not only myself, but all of us as a team throughout these past four years will stick with me the rest of my life,ā added Summerlin, a senior Sports Business major from Crestview, Florida.
Not only was this a memorable rodeo for UT Martin and Coach Luthi, but for the eight winners from other schools and for Jack Smithson from UT Martin, who won Saddle Bronc Riding. Smithson is a senior Farm and Ranch Management major from Springfield, Tennessee.
From Missouri Valley College, Cole Franks won the Bareback Riding and Jeb Nelson won the Calf Roping. From Arkansas- Monticello, Trey Britt won Steer Wrestling and Katelyn Danzy won Barrel Racing. Other winners include Ashley Henderson (Pearl River Community College) who won Breakaway Roping, Casey Roberts (Three Rivers College) who won Bull Riding, Heather McLaughlin (West Alabama) who won the Goat Tying, and Logan Graham/ Latham Dickson (Southern Arkansas) who won the Team Roping.
The winners not only won cash prizes but also prizes such as belt buckles, saddles and UT Martin custom spurs. Everyone also earned points in hopes of qualifying for the college finals. The 73rd Annual College National Finals Rodeo will be June 13 – 19 in Casper, Wyoming.
