Four Pronghorns Finish Top 10 in the Nation at 2026 CNFR

The 2026 College National Finals Rodeo wrapped up Saturday night in Casper, Wyoming, with Gillette College Rodeo well represented on the national stage. After a competitive week featuring more than 400 student-athletes from across the country, four Gillette College athletes finished inside the top 10 in the nation.

With more than 3,800 NIRA cards purchased this year, qualifying for the CNFR alone is a major accomplishment. The Pronghorns not only earned their spots among the best in college rodeo, but several made the most of the opportunity when the pressure was at its highest.

Freshman team roper Drew Harper and brother Jess Harper put together a strong week, getting all three steers down clean and advancing to the championship round. The team came up short in the short go, but their consistent performance throughout the week earned them a very respectable ninth-place finish in the nation.

Sophomore Brylee Grubb also delivered an impressive showing in the barrel racing. Competing against some of the top horses and riders in the country, Grubb ran four incredibly consistent times, all within three-hundredths of a second of each other. Her steady week earned her fifth in the nation and added another major accomplishment to an already standout season.

Senior Staheli Adams closed out her college rodeo career with a strong performance in the breakaway roping. In the high-pressure atmosphere of Saturday night's short go, Adams made a great run of 2.6 seconds to finish seventh in the nation. Her performance was a fitting end to a successful career representing Gillette College Rodeo.

The Pronghorns also had three more qualifiers gain valuable experience on the national stage. Freshman Kaeley Hutchison was incredibly aggressive in the breakaway roping, showing the competitive edge and grit the program loves about her despite some broken barriers throughout the week. Freshman Caitlin Moore had a few bobbles, but after such an incredible regional season, the program knows exactly what she is capable of and looks forward to seeing her back in the CNFR conversation next year. Sophomore Cam Johnson faced some tough luck in the team roping, but the experience of competing in the CNFR atmosphere and learning the setup will be valuable as he prepares for another run next season.

The Gillette College women's team finished 13th overall in the nation, adding another strong chapter to the program's 2026 season.

Gillette College Head Rodeo Coach Casey Rae Sellers said she was proud of the way the team competed and carried themselves.

"I'm incredibly proud of how this group handled themselves throughout the week," Sellers said. "They showed up for themselves, for their school, and for their team in more ways than I can name. They are a great group of humans and competitors, and I have no doubt they will be back with even more experience under their belts."

The Pronghorns' success at the 2026 CNFR capped off a strong season for Gillette College Rodeo and gave the program plenty to build on heading into the future.