By Rich Winter

605 Sports

Better known for his exploits on the football field, as a three-year starting quarterback/defensive back for the Lyman Raiders, Teagan Gourneau has found a passion for rodeo. 

Gourneau had an unremarkable summer of 2021 finishing seventh in South Dakota in the high school team roping competition. That little taste lit a fire under the soon-to-be senior. 

“I was almost there last year and that just gave me a lot of drive to go back and do well at state,” Gourneau said. 

The last time sports fans probably thought about Lyman’s Teagan Gourneau was last fall following a brilliant Class 9AA quarterfinal football game against Timber Lake. Lyman’s then junior quarterback helped the Raiders rally from an 18-point deficit before the Panthers advanced on a last second touchdown. 

Lyman's Teagan Gourneau (8) chases down Timber Lake's Carter Keller (85) during the Class 9AA playoffs this past season. (Ryan Deal / 605 Sports)

“I got done with football and jumped right into roping and started calving out calves,” he said. “We have our own little place and I feed cows every day for my stepdad. If there is work elsewhere I’ve been helping out around town a lot and stuff.” 

Following the completion of his junior year Gourneau packed up his belongings to spend a few weeks on the ranch of Mike and Anita Heathershaw near Quinn, South Dakota. He’s been helping out, he’s been to brandings almost every day, he's been hanging around rodeo folks and working on his craft. 

“It’s great, we ride bucking horses all the time and Mike helps us out a lot,” he said. “There is never a dull moment. I can tell you that.”

At last weekend’s regional rodeo in Wall, Gourneau competed in team roping, steer wrestling and saddle bronc riding. 

His best event turned out to be the steer wrestling as Gourneau had runs of (4.070) and (5.30) to win both go-rounds. That effort qualified him for state and registered 20 points toward his bull dogging average. 

“I felt like I drew the best steer in both rounds,” he said. “I rode my buddy Eastan West’s horse and felt pretty good about both of my runs.” 

In the team roping competition, Gourneau and teammate Matthew Heathershaw qualified for state, scoring five points. 

“That first day didn’t go our way and the second day we got in a run (19.3) and scored enough points that we’re going to state,” he said. 

Gourneau failed to ride either of his horses during the weekend’s saddle bronc competition. 

Teagan Gourneau gets out of the chute during the Saddle Bronc competition - Photo Courtesy of Bonnie Law

“I did not have the best weekend,” he said. “That will happen sometimes and it is kind of hit and miss.” 

Following both of his rides Gourneau and Heathershaw sat down and went through the ride to visualize how he could do better. After that it is getting back on the spur board and more practice. 

“I just gotta keep a hold of my legs and get my behind back in the saddle,” he said.