Polson bull riders qualify for high school nationals

by Lake County Leader
| June 17, 2021 12:15 AM

A pair of Polson rodeo standouts punched their tickets to 2021 nationals with strong showings at the Montana High School Rodeo Association State Finals last week in Baker.

Junior Gavin Knutson finished the bull riding competition with 116 cumulative points for a second-place finish, and teammate Caden Fitzpatrick was third with 92 points. The top four competitors in each event advanced to nationals, to be held July 18-24 in Lincoln, Neb.

Also qualifying in bull riding were State No. 1 Trey Knight of Wibaux and fourth-place finisher Devyn Hudley of Darby.

Knutson and Fitzpatrick also competed in team roping, where they finished in the top 35 at State.

Polson’s Cadence Schweigert competed in three events, with a top-20 finish in pole bending being her best result.

Jackson McClure of Ronan finished 12th in steer wrestling.

Trapper McAllister of Ronan earned a top-25 finish in tie down, while Jack McAllister of Hot Springs finished 13th in the event.