McNeese Sends Seven Members to the 2026 CNFR in Wyoming

The McNeese State University men’s rodeo team has claimed its fifth straight championship title in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association’s (NIRA) Southern Region, while the women’s team placed third. Six members of the men’s team, and one member of the women’s team, are traveling to the 2026 College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) June 15-20 in Casper, Wyoming. 

McNeese dominated the Southern Region saddle bronc riding standings, capturing four of the five top spots. Wyatt Lavergne, of Sulphur, is champion, Caleb Miller, of Welsh, is reserve champion, Jackson Ford, of Sturgis, South Dakota, finished third and Izaah Bartels, of New Underwood, South Dakota, took fifth place. All four will represent McNeese in saddle bronc riding at the CNFR. Also qualifying are Monty Fontenot, of Ville Platte, in bareback riding and Jude Leonards, Bell City, in steer wrestling.  

The McNeese men’s team is ranked 16^th in the nation going into the CNFR competition. Lavergne is ranked 8th in the nation in saddle bronc riding while Miller is ranked 20^th in the same category.  

On the women’s side, Alyssa Gary, of LeBleu Settlement, captured the Southern Region championship in goat tying to again qualify to compete at the CNFR after another strong season. Gary is ranked sixth in the nation in this event going into the competition. 

The CNFR is the best of the best in college rodeo. It is where the NIRA crowns individual event champions in various competitions and awards championships to the top men’s and women’s teams. Over 400 student-athletes from over 100 universities and colleges compete in Casper each year.  

Contestants compete all year in one of the NIRA’s 12 regions for a chance to rope or ride at the CNFR. The top three student-athletes in each event and top two men’s and women’s teams from the NIRA’s 12 regions qualify for the CNFR.