
Brotherly support: Lavergne duo set sights on National High School Finals Rodeo
'It would be something I'd never forget,' Wyatt Lavergne said. 'It would be something that I'm sure hasn't been done very often, and it's definitely a dream.
'We can always say that we've done that before, and to be able to go do that and then compete and have a chance to win two national high school finals titles, that would be even better.'
Wyatt, a senior, is the three-time defending saddle bronc riding state champion, while Ty, a sophomore, looks to win his first high school bull riding state title.
The last time siblings won state titles at the LHSFR in the same season was two years ago when Lane and Lydia Touchet swept the cutting titles. Grace Dubois (breakaway roping) and Luke Dubois (team roping) did it in 2021.
The brothers are always there to support each other in their battles in the arena.
'We help each other out every rodeo,' Wyatt said. 'We're behind the chutes for each other.
'The animals are out there to get you on the ground, and it takes a lot of mental strength to be able to really know with full confidence that you're there to win, and you expect nothing less but to put out the best effort you can. It's just a mental game. So if we could help each other with anything mental like that or mindset, then we're there for each other at least.'
Just like on the football field where they play on both sides of the ball for DeQuincy High School, the Lavergne brothers have no fear taking on a 1,200-2,000 bull or 1,000- to 1,300-pound horse.
'I like the adrenaline most,' Ty said. 'I'm an adrenaline junkie. I like to fight against me and the animal. Nothing better than it.'
The first-go round starts today with two performances at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. The second-go will follow the same schedule on Friday. The top 15 in each event advance to the short-go at 5 p.m. Saturday. The top four in each event qualify for the National High School Finals Rodeo in Rock Springs, Wyoming, July 13-19.
Wyatt hasn't lost a round at the state rodeo since his freshman season and has won all three titles by 23 or more points. He leads Zach Reeves by 24 points, 89-64, and won eight of nine rodeos in the regular season.
'I feel like I have no other choice but to let it all hangout and go have fun,' Wyatt said. 'Being my last one, I want to make it as memorable as possible.
'I'm blessed to be where I am right now with the possibility to win all four state titles. That would be a goal of mine.'
Ty missed out on a trip to Rocks Springs last year by 1.1 points and turned that disappointment into a dominant season.
'I'm just doing a mental game,' Ty said. 'That's what I was dealing with last year.
'I was just in my head and kind of just threw that out the door and started to just kind of go after it with all I can. I've been on top all year long pretty much, and it's just been nice.'
Ty won five of the last seven rodeos to close out the regular season and leads defending champion Brennan Polito 91-79.
'It's great to see him be able to climb the ropes this year,' Wyatt said. 'Man, he's been on a hot streak.
'I'm proud of him. He's been nothing but dominant this season for the high school rodeo, and I think he's going to stick it out.'
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American Press
5 days ago
- American Press
Long road to national title, Ty LaVergne tames bulls at NHSFR
Rodeo life means thousands of miles and countless hours on the road, but it allows for ample time for reflection. DeQuincy sophomore bull rider Ty LaVergne spent 15 hours and 1,000 miles from Shawnee, Oklahoma, to Rock Springs, Wyoming, thinking about his scoreless week at the International Finals Youth Rodeo. By the time he arrived at the National High School Finals Rodeo, he knew what he had to do and won his first high school national championship. 'I just knew I had to do my job,' LaVergne said. The championship came down to the final round on Saturday at the Sweetwater Events Complex. LaVergne watched the other 19 short-go round qualifiers make a run at the title before he got his shot close 10 p.m. that evening. He needed 63.5 points, but left no doubt that he is one of the rising bull riders in the country with a career-best 87-point ride. After a couple of leaps right out of the game, the bull didn't take it easy on LaVergne as he spun left away from his hand. He spun LaVergne round three times, but he held on for the highest-scoring ride of the week. He didn't show any nerves in his first NHSFR appearance and was the only bull rider to score 80-plus points in all three rounds. He won the first go-round with 86 points and was fifth in the second-go round with 80 points. 'It feels pretty good,' LaVergne said. 'I had a lot of fun. 'I drew really good (bulls) and executed. I drew to win.' LaVergne finished with 253 points while runner-up Wyatt Bowman (Plain City, Utah) had 229.5 points. Carter Shaw of Haughton was third with 228 points. LaVergne's championship at the NHSFR is the first for a Louisiana cowboy or cowgirl since 2020, when Sulphur's Kolby Stelly was the top bull rider and Josey Murphy won the breakaway title. LaVergne and his older brother, Wyatt, each won state championships in May at the Louisiana High School Finals Rodeo at Burton Coliseum. LaVergne beat defending state champion Brennan Polito 126.4-102.25. The elder LaVergne, the four-time defending Louisiana saddle bronc riding state champion, was looking to win his first NHSFR title, but got off to a rough start after his horse flipped over out of the chute in the first-go round and he was bucked off on his re-ride. He placed seventh in the second-go round at 75.5 but didn't make the short-go round. Wyatt was named as the 2025 recipient of the 35th annual Lane Frost Memorial Scholarship of $4,000. He placed third at the IFYR the week before. Also at the IFYR, Fisher Burnworth of DeQuincy won the bareback riding title with rides of 74, 78 and 83 points. Sulphur's William Gunter finished ninth in steer wrestling at the NHSFR with an aggregate time of 25.37 seconds. His top time was 5.25 seconds, the second-best time in the short-go round on Saturday. He placed third in the first-go round at 5.17 seconds before a 14.95-second time in the second-go round.


USA Today
01-07-2025
- USA Today
Reasons for optimism about Packers pass-rush entering 2025
The Green Bay Packers need to do a better job of consistently disrupting the quarterback during the 2025 season. Everyone in Green Bay knows it. Every fan of the team understands it. While the Packers didn't make significant additions along the defensive front, there are still reasons to be optimistic about the state of the pass-rushing unit entering this season. Here are a few reasons that the pass-rush could be better in 2025: Healthy Kenny Clark: The Pro Bowler injured his foot in Week 1 and then labored through one of his worst professional seasons before having surgery to fix the issue in January. Clark isn't getting any younger, and injuries are a concern for older players, but it's reasonable to think he could bounce back in a big way in 2025. Clark averaged over 50 pressures a year between 2022 and 2023; he had only 34 in 2024, and most were nothing more than hurries. Expect more pressure and disruption created by No. 97 this year. Lukas Van Ness in Year 3: The 2023 first-round pick had a mostly quiet and disappointing first two NFL seasons. But Mark Oldacres of Packers Wire did some digging and discovered that many first-round picks at edge rusher break out in a notable way in Year 3. Can Van Ness do the same? He's going to get chances to rush the quarterback from the edge and inside. If Van Ness can become a reliable disruptor from multiple alignments, the Packers' pass-rush will be in good shape. Rashan Gary in Year 2 with Hafley: Gary's production and efficiency as a rusher took a slight dip in his first year back as a 4-3 defensive end. Could he rediscover some of his past greatness as a rusher in Year 2? Prior to 2024, Gary's last two healthy seasons resulted in 66 pressures (2023) and 87 pressures (2021). There's no reason to think he can't get back to 60-70 pressures if healthy in 2025. DeMarcus Covington: Don't underestimate the power of good coaching. A former coordinator, Covington worked under Bill Belichick in New England and is well-versed in several different systems and front alignments. Will he solve all the problems up front? Maybe not, but it won't be surprising if the Packers play better under a more experienced defensive line coach. Jason Rebrovich rarely got the most out of his guys up front. Healthy Devonte Wyatt: The 2022 first-round pick was well on his way to a big-time season when he hurt his ankle in Week 4. Wyatt still ended up producing 32 pressures on 250 pass-rushing snaps. Can he avoid injury and truly break out in his fourth season? He's proven to be a hugely valuable interior disruptor when available. The Packers need (and should get) more snaps out of Wyatt in 2025. Hafley's blitzes: First-year defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley proved his creativity and ability to improvise when he orchestrated one of the NFL's best blitz packages in 2024. The Packers don't want to rely so much on blitzing in 2025, but having Hafley's blitzes and the athletes to execute them (see: Cooper, Edgerrin) is a nice backup plan. Expect the Packers to evolve as a blitzing defense to keep quarterbacks guessing in 2025. Rookies: Fourth-round pick Barryn Sorrell was nothing if not solid as a multi-year starter at edge rusher for Texas, while fifth-round pick Collin Oliver is an exciting athlete who created a ton of disruptive production at Oklahoma State. Could one of the rookies provide immediate help? Sorrell will get opportunities to win snaps as a rotational rusher with the second unit, while Oliver could provide some much-needed juice and speed as a rotational subpackage rusher. Brenton Cox Jr. in Year 3: Cox will have to win a roster spot in camp, but his progression through two seasons is notable and suggests he could take another jump in Year 3. After a redshirt rookie season, Cox produced 4.0 sacks in just seven games down the stretch last year. He has legitimate pass-rushing talent. Unlocking more of it in 2025 could turn him into a truly useful player for the Packers defensive front. No more Slaton snaps: As great as TJ Slaton was against the run, he provided almost nothing as a pass-rusher. That's kind of a problem for a lineman who was on the field for over 200 pass-rushing snaps last season. Slaton is now in Cincinnati, and the Packers didn't do much to replace him as a true nose tackle. If more of the defensive tackle snaps go to better pass-rushers, the Packers could naturally improve their ability to disrupt the quarterback on early-down passing snaps.


American Press
01-06-2025
- American Press
Lavergne brothers leave state rodeo as champions
The Louisiana High School Finals Rodeo ended just the way the Lavergne brothers wanted: as state champions. Wyatt Lavergne, a senior, won his fourth consecutive saddle bronc riding state title, while Ty Lavergne, a sophomore, won his first state championship in bull riding. 'Dreams ended up coming true,' Wyatt said. 'I was rooting for my brother more than anybody, more than myself. 'I feel more accomplished for him winning than I do myself.' While the elder Lavergne wrapped up his title on Friday, Ty Lavergne's came down to his final ride Saturday evening in the short-go at Burton Coliseum. He just needed an eight-second ride. He was initially bucked off but was awarded re-ride after the bull made contact with the chute as he came out. Despite having to wait a while for another bull to be brought into the arena, Ty Lavergne scored 68 points on the re-ride. 'I felt relieved, and it kind of put a little bit more pressure on me,' Ty said. 'I had to wait so long for it. I was glad that I got another chance to win it.' Ty Lavergne also won the average title with 219 points over three eight-second rides. He beat defending state champ Brennan Polito (Epic Charter) 126.4 to 102.25. 'It is a big relief, Ty Lavergne said. 'My buddy Brandon Polito was right on my tail the whole season. I just feel relieved to finally win it, especially with my brother.' Wyatt Lavergne's win in the second-go round on Friday was enough to earn him his fourth state title, and he wrapped up his fourth consecutive average title with a 73-point ride on Saturday. In 12 rounds at the state rodeo, he has scored 70 or more points nine times. 'I would say it is a weight off my shoulders,' Wyatt Lavergne said. 'I just came in here like I was losing, like I was last, and I just let it all hang out. I didn't have anything to lose, and so, it's a big accomplishment. Pretty proud of myself.' Barbe's Ella Kay won a second consecutive round Saturday on her way to defending her goat tying state championship. 'It's awesome, you know, I give all the glory to God and just thank him that I'm able to do this,' Kay said. She won the short-go round Saturday with her fastest time of the weekend at 7.12 seconds. She opened the LHSFR on Thursday with a 13.79-second run but bounced back on Friday with a time of 7.42 seconds. 'I was kind of nervous,' Kay said about her first-go round performance. 'I was just trying to go out there and be fast, and I just messed up.' 'I felt great (in the short-go round). My horse worked great, I did great, and I just thank God.' The top four in each event qualify for the National High School Finals Rodeo at the Sweetwater Events Complex in Rock Springs, Wyoming, July 13-19. Louisiana High School Finals Rodeo Short-go round results At Burton Coliseum Bull riding 1, Carter Shaw 85 2, Ty Lavergne 68 2, Luke Simon 68 Saddle bronco riding 1, Wyatt Lavergne 73 2, Austin James 38 Bareback riding 1, Ethan Parrott 64 Steer wrestling 1, Cain Martin 7.71 2, Cale Carpenter 8.89 3, Grady Ellis 10.43 4, Noah Weeks 11.55 5, Turbo Baxter 14.57 6, William Gunter 16.34 7, Luke Savant 17.40 Tie down roping 1, Cruz Melanson 8.46 2, Colten Esthay 9.01 3, Cougar Racca 9.55 4, Braxton Guillot 10.09 5, Gentry Silver 10.62 6, Carter Primeaux 10.69 7, Cooper Gallet 12.33 8, Colton Summers 13.56 9, Jayden Nunez 18.00 10, Trever Trahan 18.40 Team roping 1, Grant Engel/Skinner Wilkinson 5.15 2, Teddie Guynn/Wyatt Sonnier 6.79 3, Bill Odell/Tucker Wright 7.73 4, Shadd Huffman/Wayburn Chandler 9.99 5, Cole Steib/Kayson Lasyone 12.96 6, Hayden Walker/Grant Boudreaux 13.35 7, Cooper Broussard/Hudson Mudd 17.69 8, H.D. Willis/Carter Perry 22.28 9, Kensley Mudge/Wyatt DeMoss 33.75 Breakaway roping 1, Caroline Fontenot 2.10 2, Emma Nunez 2.30 3, Alex Poole 2.48 4, Jillian Fontenot 2.50 5, Keylee Izard 2.74 6, Addison Rains 3.00 7, Kensley Mudge 3.17 8, Saige Martin 3.47 9, Ava Nunez 12.07 Goat tying 1, Ella Kay 7.12 2, Brantlee Colbert 7.70 3, Kynnedy Nunn 8.07 4, Addison Rains 8.16 5, Abbey Anderson 8.96 6, Abbie Savant 9.86 7, Rylee Jo Maryman 10.13 8, Lauren Williams 10.20 9, Makayla Stelly 11.41 10, Katie Abshire 13.81 Pole Bending 1, Kodi Miller 20.280 2, Gemi Robinson 20.521 3, Rylee Jo Maryman 20.594 4, Addison Rains 20.680 5, Stella Aucoin 20.995 6, Ava Nunez 21.021 7, Logan Krieg 21.104 8, Emma Nunez 21.451 9, Abbey Anderson 21.606 10, Jossy Gantt 25.847 Barrel racing 1, Kynnedy Nunn 15.117 2, Gemi Robinson 15.229 3, Rylee Jo Maryman 15.304 4, Ava Nunez 15.323 5, Abbey Anderson 15.332 6, Logan Krieg 15.383 7, Kanley Cooper 15.404 8, Addison Rains 15.495 9, Jasey Gantt 15.535 10, Stella Aucoin 15.943 Louisiana High School Finals Rodeo At Burton Coliseum Standings after short-go round, Saturday, May 31, 2025 All-Around Cowboy Pl., Athlete, School Pts. 1, Braxton Guillot, La. Virtual Charter 142.0 2, Turbo Baxter, Slaughter Comm. 133.5 3, Cruz Melanson, Vinton 130.2 4, Kayson Lasyone 103.0 5, Jayden Nunez, S. Cameron 98.8 Rookie All-Around Cowboy Pl., Athlete, School Pts. 1, Cole Steib, Catholic-PC 127.8 2, Cain Martin, Sulphur 64.4 3, Skinner Wilkinson, Home School 60.8 All-Around Cowgirl Pl., Athlete, School Pts. 1, Abbey Anderson, Shepherd 292.25 2, Rylee Jo Maryman, Univ. View 257.3 3, Addison Rains, Magnolia Bend 238.4 Rookie All-Around Cowgirl Pl., Athlete, School Pts. 1, Addison Rains, Magnolia Bend 238.4 2, Kinley Walker, Home School 96.6 Bareback riding Pl., Athlete, School Pts. 1, *#Bryer Prince, Sulphur 113.0 2, Fisher Burnworth, Home School 63.8 3, %Ethan Parrott, Darbonne Woods 49.0 (123/2) Barrell racing Pl., Athlete, School Pts. 1, *#%Rylee Jo Maryman, Univ. View 116.5 (45.387/3) 2, Abbey Anderson, Shepherd 102.4 4, Gemi Robinson, Magnolia Bend 86.5 3, Ava Nunez, Bell City 82.2 5, Kynnedy Nunn, Welsh 62.5 Saddle bronc riding Pl., Athlete, School Pts. 1, *#%Wyatt Lavergne, DeQuincy 119.0 (148/2) 2, Austin James, Rosepine 71.7 3, Zach Reeves, Sulphur 64.0 4, Brant Schexnider, Kaplan 26.9 Tie down roping Pl., Athlete, School Pts. 1, #Braxton Guillot, La. Virtual Ch. 115.0 2, %Cruz Melanson, Vinton 110.2 (26.12/3) 3, Cougar Racca, Bell City 86.0 4, Gentry Silver, Bell City 73.1 5, Carter Primeaux, Erath 72.3 Breakaway roping Pl., Athlete, School Pts. 1, #Kensley Mudge, Magnolia Bend 56.0 2, Caroline Fontenot, Beau Chene 53.5 3, %Alex Poole, Bell City 51.35 (7.28/3) 4, Emma Nunez, Bell City 50.3 5, Faith Dubois, Home School 49.8 Steer wrestling Pl., Athlete, School Pts. 1, #Turbo Baxter, Slaughter 119.5 2, William Gunter, Sulphur 86.6 3, Kyler Landry, Ascension Cath. 73.5 4, %Cain Martin, Sulphur 64.4 (19.93/3) 5, Noah Weeks, Magnolia Bend 52.5 Goat tying Pl., Athlete, School Pts. 1, *#Ella Kay, Barbe 128.4 2, Abbey Anderson, Sheperd 97.8 3, Abbie Savant, Home School 89.1 4, Rylee Jo Maryman, Univ. View 86.6 5, Sage Raymond, Briarfield Acad. 85.8 9, %Kynnedy Nunn, Welsh 63.3 (25.57/3) Team roping Pl., Athlete, School Pts. 1, *#Kayson Lasyone, Magnolia Bend 175.0 #Cole Steib, Catholic-PC 2, Carter Perry, Cedar Creek 135.2 H.D. Willis, Home School 3, %Teddie Austin Guynn, Home School 132.6 (23.21/3) %Wyatt Sonnier, Welsh 4, Grant Engel, Jeff Davis Home School 121.8 Skinner Wilkinson, Home School 5, Carter Huffman, Jena 116.6 Andrew Paul, Jena Pole bending Pl., Athlete, School Pts. 1, *#Kodi Miller, Simpson 121.1 2, Gemi Robinson, Magnolia Bend 110.2 3, %Addison Rains, Magnolia Bend 99.4 (61.912/3) 4, Kenzie King, Jeff Davis Home School 62.4 5, Abbey Anderson, Sheperd 59.2 Bull riding Pl., Athlete, School Pts. 1, #%Ty Lavergne, DeQuincy 126.4 (219/3) 2, *Brennan Polito, Epic Charter 102.25 3, Carter Shaw, Magnolia Bend 85.3 4, Luke Simon, Notre Dame 61.55 5, Briggs Cooley, Christ Bridge 52.7 *2024 state champ #2025 state champion %2025 average champion