Bobcats Dominate Night 1 of Montana State Spring Rodeo

MSU athletes win 6 events, including top finishes in all 3 women's events

Apr. 10, 2026 at 5:28am

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in bold, geometric shapes and vibrant colors representing the dynamic movements and energy of a rodeo competition.The Montana State Spring Rodeo showcases the university's rodeo program's depth and talent through a cubist-inspired illustration capturing the raw energy and dynamism of the competition.Bozeman Today

Montana State University's rodeo team had a standout performance on the opening night of the school's annual Spring Rodeo, winning 6 events across men's and women's competitions. The Bobcats took first place in all 3 women's events, led by senior Jenae Whitaker's victory in goat tying. On the men's side, MSU athletes topped the leaderboard in bareback riding, saddle bronc, and bull riding.

Why it matters

The Montana State Spring Rodeo is a longstanding tradition and a point of pride for the university and local community. The Bobcats' dominant showing on opening night demonstrates the strength of their rodeo program and the talent of their student-athletes, who are poised for continued success throughout the competition.

The details

Jenae Whitaker, the daughter of MSU rodeo coach Kyle Whitaker, led the Bobcats' women's team by winning the goat tying event. Teammates Faith Marshall and Anneliese McCurry also took first place in breakaway roping and barrel racing, respectively. On the men's side, Cole Gerhardt, Cooper McNiven, and Tahj Wells won bareback riding, saddle bronc, and bull riding, with Wells posting an impressive 83-point ride on the final event of the night.

  • The Montana State Spring Rodeo is one of the school's longest-standing athletic traditions.
  • The first performance of Rodeo #1 took place on Thursday, April 10, 2026.
  • Friday night's performance will conclude Rodeo #1 of MSU's 2026 Spring Rodeo.

The players

Kyle Whitaker

The fifth-year head rodeo coach at Montana State University.

Jenae Whitaker

A senior on the Montana State rodeo team and the daughter of coach Kyle Whitaker, who won the goat tying event on opening night.

Faith Marshall

A Montana State rodeo athlete who won the breakaway roping event on opening night.

Anneliese McCurry

A Montana State rodeo athlete who won the barrel racing event on opening night.

Cole Gerhardt

A junior on the Montana State rodeo team who won the bareback riding event on opening night.

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What they’re saying

“I've always wanted to get a victory lap here. She almost won it her sophomore year, so it's cool that she got to do that (on Thursday). That was a good father moment.”

— Kyle Whitaker, Head Rodeo Coach, Montana State University

“The girls team did really good. We won every event, so that was awesome. I'm pretty proud of them.”

— Kyle Whitaker, Head Rodeo Coach, Montana State University

“Tahj, he's something else. He's an amazing talent and he hasn't been on many broncs since last fall, so that was good. He got by that one, and yeah, he's an awesome bull rider. He's a lot of fun to watch. He's going to win a lot here. I'm proud of Cole, to come out with that ride in his first event was really solid. And Cooper did a great job.”

— Kyle Whitaker, Head Rodeo Coach, Montana State University

“It was awesome. I set it up good, got a good mark-out, and then did what I knew I could do. During the eight seconds you don't hear nothing, but when (the ride is over) it's good to have a good crowd cheering you on.”

— Cooper McNiven, Freshman, Montana State Rodeo Team

“I wasn't that nervous. I'm a senior so this is my fourth time. I've used my horse every year here and I knew exactly what I needed to do so I just knew to go out and did it.”

— Jenae Whitaker, Senior, Montana State Rodeo Team

What’s next

Friday night's performance will conclude Rodeo #1 of MSU's 2026 Spring Rodeo. The event begins at 7 p.m. and will be available on The Spot – MTN and the Cowboy Channel app.

The takeaway

The Bobcats' dominant performance on opening night of the Montana State Spring Rodeo showcases the depth and talent of the university's rodeo program. With wins in all three women's events and the top spots in several men's events, MSU is poised for continued success throughout the competition and a strong finish to the annual tradition.