59th Annual Louisiana High School Rodeo Finals are held at Lamar-Dixon Expo Center

In Ascension Parish, the spectrum of the variety of things to do, goals to accomplish, and talented and skilled individuals and groups is mind-boggling. This summer brought to Ascension the 59th Annual Louisiana High School Rodeo Finals. The fact that this parish can offer as incredible a facility to host rodeos as The Lamar-Dixon Expo Center is a great source of pride for us. It is widely regarded as one of the finest agricultural and event centers in the country and serves a vital function in the parish’s economic development.

But when it comes to excitement and accomplishment, it is the competitors and the people involved in these events that Ascension Parish gets its chance to shine and this latest event was no exception. This year there were no less than three of our students who used this rodeo season finale to cap off a successful year of hard work and dedication and the reward for their efforts is a trip to the National High School Rodeo to be held in New Mexico this July.

Randi Robert, Tyler Waguespack, and Jacob O’Mara will represent Ascension in the national finals after working their way to the top of a talent filled and very competitive year of rodeos. The trio battled through three rounds of strong competition and overcame many obstacles including their own nervousness to reach for and grasp their dream. The top 36 competitors in high school rodeo for each event were invited to compete in the state finals at Lamar-Dixon. The field is narrowed to 15 after the first round and only the top 4 are invited to the National High School Rodeo Finals.

Tyler Waguespack, the 2007 Rookie of the Year in steer wrestling, entered this competition ranked first in the state. However, a disappointing first round left him in 8th place. He overcame his nerves and the rest of the field to qualify in second place.

Randi Robert, Tyler’s cousin made sure that Nationals would be a family affair by completing a fantastic event in both the poles and barrel racing competitions and will represent Ascension in the barrels in New Mexico. During the state rodeo, she posted the fastest time in the state in poles, cheered on by her parents Gay and Danny Robert. Denise and Reggie O’Mara saw their son’s dreams come true when Jacob O’Mara blitzed the field in the bull riding competition. He was in first place in bull riding after the second round and finished the state competition atop the field in first place as he also punched his ticket to the national finals.

Vicki Waguespack and her husband Michael, who serves as hazer for Tyler’s steer wrestling efforts, (a hazer is responsible for keeping the steer on a straight course for the wrestler) were joined in their cheering by family friend Darrell Espey, the 1975 Louisiana High School Rodeo Champion Steer Wrestler.

These young rodeo stars are another example of the wide variety of skill and talent that are plentiful in the youth of Ascension. All eyes will be on these young parish representatives and we wish them well as they chase their dreams at this year’s National High School Rodeo Finals.