McNeese Rodeo Team Is Going to the College National Finals Rodeo 

The McNeese State University men’s rodeo team is the champion of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association’s (NIRA) Southern Region for the third year in a row. Seven members of the team, and one member of the women’s team, are headed to the 2024 College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) June 9-15 in Casper, Wyoming. 

The saddle bronc riders going to the CNFR are Isaac Richard, of Eunice, Drew Bordelon, of Ville Platte, and Caleb Miller, of Welsh. Richard is the Southern Region Saddle Bronc Champion. Kash Martin, Lufkin, Texas, will compete in bareback riding.  

Jude Leonards, of Bell City, and Brad Hesnor, of Ville Platte, will compete in steer wrestling. Leonards is the reserve champion steer wrestler for the South Region. Kash Krogman, of Lufkin, Texas, will be competing in bull riding. 

From the women’s team, Kamryn Duncan, of Denham Springs, will compete in goat tying at the CNFR.  

“We are ready! Kamryn is tying better than she ever has and our upper classmen are seasoned and ready for this year,” explained Justin Browning, McNeese rodeo coach.  

The McNeese women’s rodeo team won the final rodeo of the season at Hill College in in Hillsboro, Texas. Kaylee Cormier, Iowa, was named All Around Cowgirl. She placed fourth in breakaway roping and seventh in goat tying. Duncan was the goat tying champion. Alyssa Gary, of LeBleu Settlement, placed fourth, Katie Schlang, of LeBleu Settlement, placed sixth, Cormier placed seventh and Kat Moss, of Moss Bluff, placed 10th.  

The men’s team placed third. In bareback riding Jacob Lamon of Lufkin, Texas, placed fourth, Monty Fontenot, of Ville Platte, placed sixth, Martin placed eighth and Conner Griffith, of Bradford, Tennessee, placed ninth. 

Bordelon was the champion in saddle bronc riding. Richard placed second, Izaah Bartels, of New Underwood, South Dakota, placed fourth, Miller placed sixth, Griffith, placed eighth and Jace Nixon, of Lake Charles, placed ninth. In tie down roping, Hesnor placed third.  

“I am so proud of this team and the culture that we have here.  The team is working hard mentally and physically. The team members continually build each other up to be the best people they can be,” Browning said. “You can see the reflection of that in the arena.”