McNeese Men’s Rodeo Team Takes Second Place at National Championship

McNeese State University’s rodeo team continued its winning tradition at the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyoming.

The men’s rodeo team claimed the reserve championship – second place in the nation – after winning a national individual title championship and a reserve national individual championship Saturday night.

For the men’s team, Shea Fournier, Raceland, claimed the saddle bronc riding championship, while teammate Ryder Sanford, Sulphur, came in sixth place and Isaac Richard finished 18th.

Defending steer wrestling champion Gavin Soileau, Bunkie, took home the reserve championship in this year’s competition. In bareback riding, Waylon Bourgeois finished 14^th and Kade Sonnier finished 18^th.

For the women’s team, Kamryn Duncan, Denham Springs, tied for the national championship title in goat tying. The women’s team finished 11^th in the nation.

McNeese has had a collegiate rodeo team since 1947.

“I can’t express how proud I am of our men’s team. We had some bad luck in drawing, and if it wasn’t for that, the team would have taken the championship,” says rodeo coach Justin Browning.

“When we started the year, our students worked so hard – they woke up at 5 a.m. to practice and they were willing to do anything it took to get to nationals. Our students performed fearlessly and I’m so proud of all of them,” adds Browning.