Submitted photoTheriot has competed in rodeo for most of his life and claimed the All-Around national championship during the 2016 College National Finals Rodeo.

For most of his life, Marcus Theriot knew he wanted to compete in rodeos.

His father, Herbert Theriot; his grandfather, Ernest Theriot; and his mother, Renee Theriot, all competed and won past rodeo championships. 

“Ever since I was little I knew I wanted to do rodeo,” Theriot, of Poplarville, said. “I always knew.”

Theriot, 19, has competed for nearly 15 years, roping calves and wrestling steers. 

“My dad’s dad did it, my dad did it and I just always knew I wanted to do it,” Theriot said.

Theriot will be one of more than 200 competing in the East Mississippi Community College Intercollegiate Rodeo at the Lauderdale County Agri-Center on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. 

Students in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association’s Ozark region, covering Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri and Michigan, will compete in bareback riding, tie-down roping, breakaway roping, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, goat tying, team roping, barrel racking and bull riding. 

Last year, Theriot claimed the All-Around national championship and individual tie-down roping title at the 2016 College Nationals Finals Rodeo. 

Theriot studies business at EMCC, a back-up to his hopeful rodeo career. Theriot said he tried other sports, including football, but none compared to the rodeo. 

“I hope to do it at least another 20 years,” Theriot said. “And that’s kind of a short career, in my opinion.”

Theriot said rodeo competitors must work closely with their horses and spend hours training to “get it right” in order to win. 

“Horses, they’re at least 51 percent of the reason you win,” Theriot said. “But work ethic is everything as far as winning goes in rodeo.”

The rodeo opens at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $5 for students and children under the age of 5 have free admission. 

The rodeo also features a calf scramble for children between the ages of 6 and 10 and a pig scramble for children 5 and younger.

MORE INFO

Want to go?

What: EMCC Intercollegiate Rodeo

Where: Lauderdale County Agri-Center,  

When: Feb. 23, 24 and 25 at 7 p.m. nightly

Cost: $10, $5 for students