SENATOBIA – Northwest's rodeo program picked up an added boost for the upcoming season, as Lafayette High School product and bareback rider Marshall Merchant officially signed with the Rangers on Friday morning.

A native of Oxford, Merchant has enjoyed a decorated rodeo career thus far, winning three consecutive state championships for bareback riding in Arkansas, Tennessee and Mississippi.

Merchant ranked within the Top 20 in the world at the 2017 National High School Rodeo Finals in Rock Springs, Wyo., finishing 16th overall with an average of 188.

"We are excited to welcome this champion to the Ranger rodeo program for the upcoming year," Northwest rodeo coach Shelli Benton said. "Recruiting the right person for the right job is the largest part of coaching and we're excited to have him here."

Merchant is the ninth signee to join the Northwest rodeo program for the 2018-19 season.