Casper, Wyo. - Junior bull rider Ruger Jarvis-Piva and junior bareback rider Tristan Hansen each finished second in the nation in their respective events leading the Montana Western men's rodeo team to a 5th place finish in the College Rodeo National Finals (CNFR).

The Montana Western rodeo team brought 12 cowboys and cowgirls down to Casper, to compete in the CNFR, and after a week of tough competition against college rodeo's best, four wearing the red and black advanced to the championship short go. Senior Tess Turk was the only one to qualify in the timed events, she scored a 6.0 in the breakaway roping to finish 10th in the nation. (2.9, NS, 2.5, 6.0, for an 11.4 on three). She also finished sixth in the all-around. 

Leading up to the CNFR head coach Iola "Olie" Else said that her team was strong in the rough stock and expected them to do well. And they didn't disappoint, as three cowboys advanced to the championship round. Sophomore Tanner Butner in the saddle bronc, junior Tristan Hansen in the bareback, and junior bull rider Ruger Piva. "They were tremendous!" stated Olie. 

Butner scored a 74 on his final ride to finish fourth in the round and sixth in the nation. (69.5, 71.0, NS, 74.0 for a 214.5 on three). "Tanner had some really nice rides, to finish sixth in the nation." stated Olie. Hansen covered all four of his rides, placing fourth in two rounds on his way to finish second in the nation (74.5, 73.5, 74.5, 75.5 for 298.0 on four) just 16 points behind the winner. "Tristan did everything he was supposed to," stated Olie, "He did everything right he just didn't draw well to get enough horsepower to win."

It has been said that bull riding is the longest eight seconds in sports and that rang true for Ruger Jarvis-Piva, who took second place in the first go and won the second round. He was in first place heading into the championship go-round and rode his final bull for 7.18 seconds just falling short of the eight needed to win a national championship. Piva finished 80.0, 77.0, NS, NS for 157.0 on two, just 4.5 points behind the leader for a second place finish. 

"I've got my whole team back next year." said Olie, "We have a great bunch of kids, and we can only get better, you will probably see a few of them down at the NFR (National Finals Rodeo) they are that good." 

Notes:
During the CNFR Turk was awarded with the L.N. "Sonny" Sikes Pioneer Award, which is a scholarship awarded to a current NIRA student director. Turk wrote an essay on what it means to be a pioneer for the sport of college rodeo. 

Final scores:
Senior Michael Vines finished 18th in the nation in team roping with scores of 7.8, 13.0, NS for 20.8 on two. 
Freshman Talon Schneiter finished 19th in the nation in the bareback with scores of 66.0, 65.0, 60.0 for 191.0 on three. 
Senior Conlee Gray finished 25th in the nation in the barrel racing with times of 15.10, 15.07, 14.68 for 44.85 on three.
Sophomore Cyris Robertson finished 30th in the nation in the tie down roping with scores of 14.0, NS, 12.8 for 26.8 on two.
Sophomore Lorrie Ann Smith, Miss Rodeo Hawaii, finished 34th in the nation in the goat tying with times of 8.7, 7.3, 7.4 for 23.4 on three.
Senior Tess Turk finished 43rd in the goat tying with times of 6.6, NS, 6.4 for 13.0 on two.
Junior Jacob Worthen finished 39th in the nation in the steer wrestling with times of NS, 11.7, NS. 
Junior Tristan Hansen, didn't cover any bulls, and finished tied for 17th.
Junior Marlee Mussmann couldn't get any of her ropes to land as she finished tied for 45th.