Skyhawk Pair Round Out Successful Seasons At College National Finals Rodeo

Sunday, June 15

Casper, Wyo.

UT Martin

77th Annual College National Finals Rodeo

Skyhawk Pair Round Out Successful Seasons At College National Finals Rodeo

6/22/2025 10:59:00 AM | Rodeo

Results

CASPER, Wyo. – Caden Ussery and Anna Wilder each represented the University of Tennessee at Martin at the weeklong College National Finals Rodeo, which came to an end last night at the Ford Wyoming Center.

Both Skyhawks were making their first career CNFR appearances and were part of a field of over 400 cowboys and cowgirls who were competing for a national championship. Individual champions were recognized in bareback riding, tie down roping, breakaway roping, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, goat tying, team roping, barrel racing and bull riding while Tarleton State (men's) and Southwest Texas (women's) won team titles.

A junior from Huntersville, NC, Ussery punched his ticket to the 77^th Annual CNFR by placing third in the Ozark Region in tie down roping. He took part in that same event at the CNFR, running into some tough luck with a no-score in his debut during Monday's slack round. He came back with a 21.5 during Tuesday's slack round to rank 34^th in that round but once again was unlucky in Friday's performance round, receiving a no-score. Overall, his 21.5 average ranked him 45^th nationally.

Wilder earned her spot in the 2025 CNFR by finishing second in the Ozark Region in all-around. The sophomore out of Millington, Tenn. pulled double duty at the CNFR, competing in both breakaway roping and barrel racing. Her week began during last Sunday's matinee portion, running into some tough luck with a no-score in breakaway roping. She followed that with an impressive 3.9 in Monday's slack round, ranking 25^th out of all competitors in that round. She again faced some unlucky conditions with a no-score in Thursday's performance round, finishing 50^th in the country in that event with a 3.9 average. In barrel racing, she came away with a 20.07 (44^th in the field) in Monday's slack round before posting a time of 14.43 seconds during Tuesday's slack portion – 16^th best time in the entire field. She rounded out her participation in the event during Thursday's performance session, recording a 19.59 (41^st in the field). Overall, she placed 40^th nationally with a 54.09 average.

The CNFR puts the finishing touches on a successful 2024-25 UT Martin rodeo season under head coach Chase Thrasher. The Skyhawk women's team collected a pair of victories (at Southern Arkansas on Oct. 10-12 and at East Mississippi on March 13-14) while placing in the top-four in seven Ozark Region rodeos. On the men's side, the UT Martin cowboys claimed a win at Arkansas Tech (March 6-8) and finished in the top-four in half of its 10 rodeos.