UVU's rodeo program continued its tradition of national-level success this month as two Wolverines earned top-four finishes at the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) in Casper, Wyoming.
Utah Valley University’s (UVU) rodeo program continued its tradition of national-level success this month as two Wolverines earned top-four finishes at the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) in Casper, Wyoming. UVU juniors Cooper Duffin placed fourth in tie-down roping, and Ashley Barratt clenched fourth in goat tying.
Earlier this year, the UVU Women's Rodeo Team earned the title of Rocky Mountain Region Reserve Women's Team Champions, ensuring their place at the CNFR. Ultimately, the Women’s team took 11 out of 41 competing teams. Duffin placed first in tie-down roping, and Barratt was reserve champion in goat tying in the Rocky Mountain region.
“Only a very small group of rodeo athletes even earn the opportunity to compete at CNFR,” said Shane Draper, UVU Rodeo coach. “Not only did our students work hard to compete at a national level, but they showed they are among the top rodeo athletes in the nation.”
The CNFR is the premier event in college rodeo, bringing together over 400 top collegiate athletes from across the nation to compete in various events, including bareback riding, barrel racing, breakaway roping, bull riding, goat tying, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, team roping, and tie-down roping.
The 2026-27 college rodeo season will commence in September with UVU hosting its fall rodeo Oct. 9-10. UVU Rodeo is a college rodeo team of students with diverse backgrounds, providing a place for students from rural or underserved communities across Utah and the rest of the country. The UVU Rodeo team empowers students to complete their degrees while participating in the rodeo program, and many of our student athletes are first-generation college students.
UVU Rodeo is currently fundraising to build a permanent rodeo facility in Payson, Utah. This new arena will improve the program and community outreach. To learn more about UVU’s rodeo teams and their fundraising efforts, please visit uvu.edu/rodeo.
