Family ties: Marcus Theriot destined to become rodeo star
Marcus Theriot has the bloodlines to become a professional rodeo star.
The East Mississippi Community College freshman won the all-around championship and tie-down roping title at the College National Finals Rodeo last month in Casper, Wyoming. The Lions finished fifth in the team competition.
Theriot is the son of Herbert Theriot, the 1994 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association tie-down roping world champion. His grandfather, Ernest Theriot, is a member of the Louisiana Rodeo Cowboys Association Hall of Fame. His mother, Renee Theriot, is a former rodeo champion.
Growing up in Poplarville, Theriot quickly learned the sport and embraced expectations.
“My family helped me a lot with rodeo,” Theriot said. “But my success is based on me — not what they did in the past. It’s what I’ve made out of myself.”
EMCC coach Morgan Goodrich appreciates the skills Theriot brings to the Lions squad.
“Marcus is a true champion and an outstanding rodeo athlete,” Goodrich said. “His work ethic, team leadership and family values all continue to contribute to his great success in and out of the rodeo arena. He is a special athlete. He’s very versatile and that really separates him from the rest of the pack.”
My family helped me a lot with rodeo. But my success is based on me, not what they did in the past. It’s what I’ve made out of myself.
Marcus Theriot
Theriot arrived on the Scooba campus with an impressive resume after he was home-schooled in Poplarville. He captured the 2014 National High School Finals Rodeo all-around cowboy title and the 2015 Mississippi High School Rodeo Association boys all-around championship.
“I like it at East Mississippi,” Theriot said. “It’s a great school. The coaches at East Mississippi have rodeo-ed their whole life. They know what it takes.”
Theriot is glad Pearl River Community College and Northwest Community have joined the Lions as the only state JUCO schools with rodeo programs.
“It’s great other rodeo kids have opportunities,” Theriot said. “I’m not saying I would’ve signed with Pearl River coming out of school, but it would’ve been nice to know I had the option.”
Theriot will spend the rest of the summer competing in rodeos across the country, including stops in Nevada and Utah.
Student-athletes in Theriot’s sport can compete professionally and earn money while maintaining their eligibility because college rodeo is not affiliated with the NJCAA or the MACJC.
James Jones: 228-896-2320, @_jkjones
This story was originally published July 3, 2016 at 12:14 PM with the headline "Family ties: Marcus Theriot destined to become rodeo star."