Gavin Knutson Ties for Sixth in Bull Riding at CNFR Championship

CASPER, Wyo. – Montana Western's Gavin Knutson finished tied for sixth in the short go of bull riding at the 2026 College National Finals Rodeo Saturday evening.

Knutson finished with an aggregate score of 143.00, including posting an 82.00 to win the opening round.

The Polson, Mont., native is a four-rime CNFR qualifier as a Montana Western student-athlete. He finished second in the bull riding at the 2025 CNFR Championship.

This season, the senior qualified in both the bull riding and the team roping alongside partner Luke Garrison.

Knutson and Garrison were two of eight Montana Western rodeo athletes to make it to Casper this year, joining Cade Costello (saddle bronc), Cardell Laughery (saddle bronc), Jeremy Kay (bareback), Jake Deveraux (tie-down roping), Cooper Pavkov (team roping), and Bry Severe (team roping).

"I couldn't be prouder that all these kids are Bulldogs," head coach JT Robbins said.

Full CNFR results can be found here.

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.

#GOBULLDOGS!

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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