In June of this year, Tarleton Junior Haven Meged traveled to Casper, Wyo. for the College National Finals Rodeo. He left Casper as the 2019 CNFR Tie-Down Roping champion.

“To win is such a huge deal, and it means so much,” Meged said, “There were so many great kids I was up against, and to come out on top is simply awesome. You go into the week hoping for a good draw, and I drew well. I took it one calf at a time and focused on setting myself up to win.”

Meged has been a member of the Tarleton rodeo team since last year. He has been part of a large group effort for the past year. When it comes to members winning national titles, it doesn’t just affect the individual but the team as a whole. “Our goal is to always win the team national titles and to accomplish this we have to win individual titles as well.” said Tarleton Rodeo Coach Mark Eakin, “It is a goal of every athlete to bring home a national title in their event and to be the next member on our list of national champions.” Haven is the 28th person to win an individual national title in the history of Tarleton rodeo.

Meged is now focused on bigger fish to fry. This is his rookie year in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and he currently sits second in the world standings for tie-down roping. It is no small thing to be second in the world, and in professional rodeo, that means a trip to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nev. is imminent. “Going to the NFR is a dream come true, everybody in rodeo dreams about making it there someday.”

Meged said, “When it comes to preparing for it, I just practice like usual. I can’t overthink it. You have to keep it simple like you’re practicing for just another rodeo.” This December, Haven and his 9-year-old black mare, named Beyonce, will head to Vegas to compete in 10 rounds against the world’s best tie-down ropers.

Meged has been a roper for most of his life. He started on a dummy when he was around 5 years old. For a cowboy of his caliber, this comes as no surprise.

“He is a very athletic, goal-oriented and motivated student that is having a lot of success at a young age,” said Eakin. Meged is surrounded by a strong support system, especially his parents and Brett Flemming, who he describes as his greatest influence when it comes to tie-down roping.

Meged attended Western Oklahoma State College for two years, and then his path led him to Tarleton who was rumored to have one of the best rodeo teams in the country. “I had heard about Tarleton rodeo a lot and how good of a program it was, and I ended up getting a scholarship to rodeo at TSU,” said Meged.

After graduation, he plans to keep winning gold buckles and to eventually take over his family’s sale barn and ranch. For now though, Haven is a determined college student who has big things happening for him.

“It is always a blessing when you get to be a part of a student’s life when they reach some of their goals.” Eakin said, “We are very proud of Haven!”