McNeese Wins Three Rodeo Championships

McNeese State University’s women’s rodeo team is once again first in the nation after winning the team championship and two national individual championships Saturday night at the 71st College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyo.

Mia Manzanares, of Opelousas, is now the two-time women’s all-around champion and is the co-winner of goat tying championship, as she and Beau Peterson from Panhandle State University tied for first place. Manzanares, together with team members Kati Murphy, Ashleigh Young and Grace Hanley won the women’s team championship for the second year in a row.

For the men’s team, Waylon Bourgeois, of Church Point, placed 10th in bareback riding while Gabe Soileau, of Bunkie, also placed 10th in steer wrestling.

“This year’s finals were very competitive, but the women’s team came together and once again won the national championship,” says McNeese rodeo coach Justin Browning. “I’m proud of all of our student-athletes and their performances at this year’s competition.”

McNeese intercollegiate rodeo began in 1947 and this is the 28^thconsecutive year that McNeese has sent students to the national championship finals.