Knutson Punches Ticket to CNFR Championship Round as Bulldogs Close Out Round Three

CASPER, Wyo. – Montana Western's Gavin Knutson finished fourth on aggregate in the bull riding Friday evening to advance to Saturday's championship round of the 2026 College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR). Seven other Bulldogs closed out their 2026 campaigns in Casper.

To qualify for the final round, competitors had to finish inside the top-12 in their respective events.

Despite falling short of the eight-second mark in the third round of bull riding, Knutson's successful rides in rounds one and two got him over the mark to compete in the short go.

Cardell Laughery (78.25) and Cade Costello (64.50) both laid down clean rides in the third round of saddle bronc, however they both finished outside of the top 12.

In the team roping, Cooper Pavkov and Bry Severe tallied a 15.1 in the third round while Knutson and Luke Garrison earned a 19.2.

Jeremy Kay received no score on his final attempt in the bareback, also just missing out on the championship round.

Jake Deveraux no-timed in his final tie-down roping attempt as well.

Full results can be found here.

LOOKING AHEAD
Knutson will be back in action tomorrow night at 7 p.m. MT when he competes in the championship round of CNFR. The event will be live-streamed on ESPN+.

For complete coverage of UMW Rodeo, be sure to follow us on social media at @umw_rodeo (Instagram) and @University of Montana Western Rodeo Team (Facebook) or visit our official website at UMWBulldogs.com.

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Players Mentioned

Cade Costello: Saddle Bronc / Tie Down Roping / Team Roping; Junior

Jake Deveraux: Team Roping / Tie Down Roping; Graduate Student

Jeremy Kay: Bull Riding / Bareback Riding; 5' 11"; Sophomore

Gavin Knutson: Bull Riding / Tie Down Roping / Team Roping; 5' 9"; Senior

Cardell Laughery: Saddle Bronc; 6' 0"; Junior

Cooper Pavkov: Team Roping / Tie Down Roping; 6' 0"; Senior

Luke Garrison: Team Roping, Steer Wrestling; Junior

Bry Severe: Team Roping, Tie-Down Roping; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Cade Costello
: Junior
: Saddle Bronc / Tie Down Roping / Team Roping

Jake Deveraux
: Graduate Student
: Team Roping / Tie Down Roping

Jeremy Kay
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: Bull Riding / Bareback Riding

Gavin Knutson
: 5' 9"; Senior
: Bull Riding / Tie Down Roping / Team Roping

Cardell Laughery
: 6' 0"; Junior
: Saddle Bronc

Cooper Pavkov
: 6' 0"; Senior
: Team Roping / Tie Down Roping

Luke Garrison
: Junior
: Team Roping, Steer Wrestling

Bry Severe
: Sophomore
: Team Roping, Tie-Down Roping