This weekend, Poplarville’s Marcus Theriot will be competing against some of the best rodeo athletes in the nation as he strives to become the All-Around Cowboy during the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyoming. Theriot enters the CNFR as the nation’s second-ranked collegiate cowboy with 2,060 total points after claiming five all-around Ozark Region event titles during the 2015-16 regular season.

Theriot is a freshman at East Mississippi Community College competing against other junior colleges and 4-year colleges in hopes of earning the most sought after award, the All-Around Cowboy/Cowgirl, given to the athlete with the most overall points from the various competitions.

Theriot is competing in three events, calf roping, steer wrestling, and team roping. After Wednesday’s competitions, Theriot became the top ranked cowboy in the all-around competition with 315 points, said David Rosinski, Sports Information Director at East Mississippi Community College. The 325 points single-handedly has EMCC men’s rodeo team in sixth place in team rankings.

The 6-foot-1, 220-pound cowboy comes from a rodeo family. His father, Herbert Theriot, was the 1994 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association tie-down roping champion and currently assists EMCC’s rodeo coaching staff, said Rosinski. Also, Marcus Theriot’s grandfather, Ernest Theriot, is a member of the Louisiana Rodeo Cowboys Association Hall of Fame.

Marcus Theriot’s coach, Morgan Goodrich, said he stands out from the rest of the competitors because he is the only athlete competing in three events.

“Marcus is a special athlete. He is very versatile and that really separates him from the rest of the pack,” said Goodrich.

Goodrich said Marcus Theriot also displays a high level of leadership, even as a freshman.

“A lot of the other athletes look up to Marcus. He is a natural born leader and his work ethic is contagious,” said Goodrich.

Marcus Theriot and his team competed in events at 7 on Friday night, and depending on their performance, they will go to the championship round on Saturday with the national collegiate title on the line. The top 12 athletes of each event from Friday will advance to the finals. To watch the events live, go to the WATCH ESPN application.