Going a perfect 2-0 in gameplay in Oklahoma City, Carolina Cowboys are No. 1 in the league following PBR Wildcatters Days, presented by Travel Oklahoma, followed by the No. 2 Arizona Ridge Riders and No. 3 Kansas City Outlaws, who are also undefeated at 2-0
By Kacie Albert
OKLAHOMA CITY – Capping an opening weekend in which several PBR Teams records were shattered, the Oklahoma Wildcatters concluded their inaugural PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Team Series homestand and highly anticipated debut of head coach J.B. Mauney with a crucial victory, defeating the scoreless Austin Gamblers 155.75-0 to improve to 2-1 in game play.
The expansion team making their debut inside Paycom Center in Oklahoma City is now ranked No. 4 in the league.
After both teams were shut out in the first two frames, the Wildcatters took the lead in the third via a score from Cort McFadden, who was a perfect 3-for-3 on the weekend, and never looked back. While they clinched the game win early when Austin’s closer Jose Vitor Leme was bucked off, their ebullient rookie Clay Guiton augmented the win with a mammoth ride on Boujee Boy for fans to remember.
The Wildcatters, who beat the reigning PBR Teams Champion Texas Rattlers on opening night before falling to the Arizona Ridge Riders on Saturday, improved to 2-1 in gameplay. They are now ranked No. 4 in the league.
Austin left the Sooner State 0-2 and are No. 9 in the early PBR Teams standings.
Less than 24 hours after their record-setting 5-for-5 game producing 448 points, the most in a game by a team in league history, the Carolina Cowboys continued to ride in championship-contending form, defeating the New York Mavericks 161.25-82.5 to improve to 2-0 in 2024 and claim the No. 1 rank in the league.
After Cooper Davis delivered the game-high score in the top of the first, Sage Steele Kimzey knocked down what would prove to be the game-winning score in the top of the fifth.
While the New York Mavericks, the other expansion team making their league debut, concluded competition in Oklahoma City 0-3, ranked No. 10 in the league, Davi Henrique da Liva recorded the team’s first-ever qualified ride during their loss to Carolina, covering Rowdy for 82.5 points.
The Florida Freedom earned the team’s first win of 2024 on Sunday afternoon, knocking off the 2022 PBR Teams Champion Nashville Stampede 173.75-87.25.
After Elizmar Jeremias delivered the first score for Florida, John Crimber, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 PBR Teams New Rider Draft, clinched the victory for the team with a crucial 88-point ride on Stryker in the top of the fifth. Florida is now 1-1 in 2024, ranked No. 5 in the league.
Nashville, which was prevented from suffering a shutout loss compliments of a bottom-of-the-fifth ride from three-time PBR World Champion Silvano Alves, left Oklahoma City with a 1-2 record, now ranked No. 7 in the league.
The final night of PBR’s Wildcatters Days, presented by Travel Oklahoma, began with the first iteration of the 2024 Show-Me Showdown as the Kansas City Outlaws played the Missouri Thunder.
Compliments of early scores from Koltin Hevalow and Sandro Batista in the opening two frames and a key fourth-frame ride from Brennon Eldred, the Outlaws emerged as the top team in Missouri, beating the Thunder by 81.75 points, 260.25-172.5. The Outlaws improved to 2-0 in 2024, now ranked No. 3 in the league, while the Thunder are now 1-2, sitting at No. 8.
In the Shootout Round to conclude the event, Jeremias delivered for Florida as the lone competitor to convert. His winning ride was an 88.25-point score on Mike’s Motive.
Merit Street Media broadcast all three days of action from PBR Wildcatters Days, presented by Travel Oklahoma. Viewers can watch on the Merit+ app or go to https://www.meritstreetmedia.com/channel-finder to find the Merit Street Media cable channel in their area. On-demand replays of all the PBR Teams action will be available the following day on the Merit+ app. RidePass on Pluto TV will also air Teams replays five days later.
The PBR Camping World Team Series will next travel to Gas South Arena in Duluth, Georgia, for the first of two neutral-site events during the 2024 season. The event will begin on Friday, July 26, at 7:45 p.m. EDT, Saturday, July 27, at 7:45 p.m. EDT and Sunday, July 28, at 2:45 p.m. EDT.
The game matchups for the opening night of competition in Duluth on July 26 are:
Texas Rattlers vs. Florida Freedom
Nashville Stampede vs. Kansas City Outlaws
New York Mavericks vs. Austin Gamblers
Carolina Cowboys vs. Arizona Ridge Riders
Note: The Missouri Thunder and Oklahoma Wildcatters will have byes on the first night of competition in Duluth.
SCORE BULLETINS
Kansas City Outlaws Win First Iteration of the 2024 Show-Me Showdown, Knocking Off the Missouri Thunder on Final Day of PBR Camping World Team Series Action in Oklahoma City
Kansas City Outlaws: 260.25
Missouri Thunder: 172.5
On the final day of PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Team Series competition in Oklahoma City, the Kansas City Outlaws continued to ride in championship-contending form. In the first iteration of the Show-Me Showdown, the Outlaws beat their in-state rival Missouri Thunder by one ride score, 260.25-172.5, to conclude PBR Wildcatters Days, presented by Travel Oklahoma, with a perfect 2-0 record. The Show-Me Showdown began in electric form. In the top of the first, the Kansas City Outlaws’ Koltin Hevalow was quick to strike, giving his team an 85.5-point lead as he covered Wasted Nights. Missouri, however, responded just as fast. In the bottom of the frame, Felipe Furlan lessened Kansas City’s lead to 2 points as he bested Sorrel’s Pick for 83.5 points. Sandro Batista continued the Outlaws’ momentum in the second. Riding DirtyBru for 88.5 points, Batista grew Kansas City’s lead to 90.5 points. Missouri then looked to Boudreaux Campbell to deliver the Thunder their second score. While Campbell initially appeared centered, Crazy Times ultimately unseated him at the 3.06-second mark. In the third, Kansas City looked to Julio Cesar Marques aboard Seth Wadley’s No Bull to give their team a two-score lead. Despite nodding with confidence, Marques was unable to get by his bovine athlete, brought down in 4.53 seconds and opening the door for Missouri to potentially take over the game lead. Briggs Madsen was up next for the Thunder, matched with Margin of Error. Madsen brought the crowd inside Paycom Center to its feet, covering the bull with ease. Awarded a commanding 89 points, Madsen inched the Thunder to within 1.5 points of the lead. In the fourth, it was Brennon Eldred out first for Kansas City, followed by Andrew Alvidrez for the Thunder. Eldred quickly gave Kansas City back a larger lead, covering Fierce’s Dirtnap for 86.25 points, putting the Outlaws ahead by 87.75 points. Alvidrez was unable to keep pace for the Thunder, with the scoreboard remaining unchanged as he was tossed in 3.85 seconds by Hunting Trip. Kansas City then had the chance to clinch the game win early in the top of the fifth as closer and 2024 PBR World Champion Cassio Dias diligently prepared to take on Flint Stone, who entered the showdown with a perfect 9-0 record in PBR competition. Erupting from the chutes, Dias was quickly dislodged, coming down in an uncharacteristic 2.41 seconds and opening the door for the Thunder to win the game in come-from-behind, walk-off form. In the must-ride position was Paulo Eduardo Rossetto aboard Bangarang. The young Brazilian, however, was unable to answer the call for his team, coming down in 4.32 seconds, cementing the victory in the Show-Me Showdown for the Kansas City Outlaws. Via the win, Kansas City concluded their outing in Oklahoma City with a perfect 2-0 record, while the Missouri Thunder slipped to 1-2.
John Crimber Delivers the Florida Freedom Their First Victory of 2024, Leading them Past the Nashville Stampede on Final Night of PBR Camping World Team Series Action in Oklahoma
Florida Freedom: 173.75
Nashville Stampede: 87.25
The Florida Freedom earned the team’s first win of the 2024 season Sunday afternoon in Oklahoma City, propelled to a 173.75-87.25 victory against the 2022 PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Teams Champion Nashville Stampede by a crucial fifth-frame score from generational talentJohn Crimber, coached by his father Paulo Crimber. As the game got underway in the first, the Freedom and Stampede exchanged buckoffs, with Caden Bunch bested by Top Dollar in 0.76 seconds for Florida and Ednelio Almeida tossed by Huckleberry in 6.11 seconds for Nashville. In the top of the second, Florida then turned to Alex Cerqueira to put early points on the board. Cerqueira initially appeared centered, but Pick Up Man got the better of him in a close 6.58 seconds, resulting in no score for Florida. In the bottom of the second, Nashville’s Andrei Scoparo could not reverse the Stampede’s momentum, slammed to the ground in 4.82 seconds by Do Dat Eddie. In the top of the third, Florida converted first. After being put on the clock in the chutes, Elizmar Jeremias nodded with just three seconds remaining. Remaining in perfect time with Ruthless, Jeremias reached the 8 with ease, giving his team an 85.75-point lead. Nashville looked to respond quickly, tasking Mason Taylor, who entered the out with a perfect 2-for-2 record inside Paycom Center, with Homeboy in the bottom of the third. Taylor couldn’t get it done for his squad, seeing his ride streak end when the bull sent him to the ground in 3.75 seconds. Trey Benton III began the top of the fourth for the Florida Freedom with a buckoff, bested by Stone Cold Gangster in 6.22 seconds in his first-ever PBR Teams out. In need of points, Alan de Souza settled in on Black Gold for Nashville’s penultimate out. While Souza was initially deemed to have made the whistle, Florida Freedom Head Coach and 2024 Ring of Honor inductee Paulo Crimber threw his challenge flag, asking PBR’s officials to review the out on time. After close examination, PBR’s judging team reversed the initial call, deeming Souza bucked off in a heartbreaking 7.96 seconds. The buckoff gave the Florida Freedom the chance to clinch victory early in the top of the fifth. In the crucial out was closer and teenage phenom John Crimber, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 PBR Teams New Rider Draft. Erupting from the chutes atop Stryker, the 18-year-old’s undeniable talent was on full display as he made the 8 with ease for 88 points. The ride increased Florida’s lead to two scores and 173.75 points, clinching the team’s first game win of the 2024 season. The five-on-five showdown then concluded with Nashville’s final out as three-time PBR World Champion Silvano Alves looked to prevent a shutout for his team. Answering the call, he rode Skippy for 87.25 points. When the dust settled, Florida won by 86.5 points, beating Nashville 173.75-87.25. The Florida Freedom left Oklahoma with a 1-1 record, while Nashville concluded the first Camping World Team Series event with a 1-2 record.
Carolina Cowboys Continue to Ride Red Hot, Beating the New York Mavericks on Final Day of PBR Camping World Team Series Action in Oklahoma City to Improve to a Perfect 2-0 in 2024
Carolina Cowboys: 161.25
New York Mavericks: 82.5
The Carolina Cowboys continued to ride in championship form Sunday afternoon in Oklahoma City, finishing a perfect 2-0 at the 2024 season-launch PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Team Series event, defeating the New York Mavericks by 78.75 points, 161.25-82.5. Less than 24 hours after their historic perfect game on Saturday night in which they scored 448 points, the most by a team in league history, and the only game to showcase nine qualified rides overall, the Carolina Cowboys were keen to continue their momentum, looking to opener Cooper Davis to strike in the top of the first. Delivering for his team, the 2016 PBR World Champion dominated Buzz, reaching the 8 with ease and giving Carolina an early 89.5-point lead. New York was unable to respond in the bottom of the frame as Maverick Smith was sent airborne by Mahan in 3.9 seconds. As the second got underway, Carolina surrendered their first buckoff of the season as Derek Kolbaba was bested in 5 seconds by Mama’s Boy. On the hunt for their first qualified ride in history, the New York Mavericks, one of two expansion teams that joined the league prior to the start of the 2024 campaign, turned to Davi Henrique Lima on Rowdy. While Lima was initially called to have bucked off in 7.93 seconds, the out went into automatic review. After close examination, PBR’s officials deemed that Lima did indeed make the 8, marking him 82.5 points. As a result, New York inched within 7 points of the game lead. The scoreboard then went unchanged through the third and fourth, setting up a crucial fifth frame. First out was seven-time PRCA champion Sage Steele Kimzey on 2024 Bull of the PBR World Finals Red Demon for the Carolina Cowboys. Fighting to remain in the center, Kimzey gritted his way to the whistle as his bovine athlete opponent delivered an uncharacteristic out. Kimzey was marked 71.75 points but was also awarded the option of a re-ride. In a business decision, Carolina elected to keep the score, growing their lead to 78.75 points. The game then came down to the New York Mavericks’ closer Vitor Losnake atop Big Bank. Losnake, however, could not be the hero for his team, tossed by the bull in 4.26 seconds. Via the buckoff, Carolina improved to 2-0 in 2024, defeating New York, who was shut out on the season’s opening weekend, going 0-3 in Oklahoma City, 161.25-82.5.
Oklahoma Wildcatters Conclude Inaugural PBR Camping World Team Series Homestand Inside Paycom Center with Victory Against the Austin Gamblers
Oklahoma Wildcatters: 155.75
Austin Gamblers: 0.00
The Oklahoma Wildcatters, making their debut under the leadership of recently retired bull riding legend Head Coach J.B. Mauney, concluded their inaugural PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Team Series homestand in Oklahoma City with a commanding victory, defeating the scoreless Austin Gamblers by 155.75 points. Fresh off their first bye of the season Saturday night, the refreshed Gamblers led off with opener Dalton Kasel atop Washita Red. Kasel was unable to give his team an early lead against the home team, brought down in a close 5.52 seconds. The Wildcatters then readied for their first out of the game, with Dustin Herman atop Ghost Face. With the crowd cheering them on in raucous form, Herman hit the ground before the whistle, resulting in no score for Oklahoma as the scoreboard remained 0-0 as the second frame got underway. Austin again stumbled, as Kaique Pacheco was whipped to the ground inside Paycom Center in 6.51 seconds by Desperado. As Mauney watched, Cort McFadden looked to convert for the Wildcatters for the third time in as many days, settling in on Strong Arm. Nodding confidently, McFadden delivered the first score for the Wildcatters, marked 66.5 points. Despite being awarded a re-ride opportunity, the Wildcatters elected to keep the score, entering the third frame with the lead. The scoreboard then went unchanged through third as Ramon de Lima didn’t make the 8 for Austin and Kyler Oliver was denied a score for Oklahoma. During Oliver’s out, Head Coach Mauney challenged the buckoff, believing the bull, Whiskey Trip, fouled himself. Upon review, PBR’s officials did not discover a foul, resulting in the Wildcatters losing their challenge for the remainder of the game. After Trevor Kastner bucked off Killer Bee in 4.03 seconds for Austin, Oklahoma had the chance to clinch the game win early in the bottom of the fourth. Hagen Braswell burst from the chutes on Brown Bomber but was quickly unseated at the 2.1-second mark, opening the door for Austin to win a come-from-behind victory. In the closing role for Austin was two-time PBR Teams MVP and two-time PBR World Champion Jose Vitor Leme, who is no stranger to high-pressure situations. After careful preparations on Paunchy, Leme called for the gate, but was unseated at the 3.36-second mark, cementing the win for Oklahoma. With one out remaining, the Wildcatters looked to conclude their first-ever home event with a qualified ride, pairing Clay Guiton with Boujee Boy. Guiton put the cherry on top of the victory as he dominated the bull for 89.25 points, leading Oklahoma to win 155.75-0. At day’s end, Oklahoma exited Paycom Center with a 2-1 record, while the Gamblers returned home 0-2 thus far in 2024.
OKLAHOMA CITY TEAM STANDINGS – JULY 14:
Here are the Team standings for the third day of competition for the Camping World Team Series’ PBR Wildcatters Days, presented by Travel Oklahoma, from Oklahoma City:
- Florida Freedom, 1-0-0-262
- Kansas City Outlaws, 1-0-0-260.25
- Carolina Cowboys, 1-0-0-161.25
- Oklahoma Wildcatters, 1-0-0-155.75
- Missouri Thunder, 0-1-0-172.5
- Nashville Stampede, 0-1-0-87.25
- New York Mavericks, 0-1-0-82.5
- Austin Gamblers, 0-1-0-0.00
* Note: The Arizona Ridge Riders and Texas Rattlers had byes on July 14.
PBR TEAMS SEASON STANDINGS:
Here are the current Team standings for the regular season after the third day of competition for PBR Wildcatters Days, presented by Travel Oklahoma, in Oklahoma City:
- Carolina Cowboys, 2-0-0-609.25
- Arizona Ridge Riders, 2-0-0-513
- Kansas City Outlaws, 2-0-0-438.5
- Oklahoma Wildcatters, 2-1-0-575.25
- Florida Freedom, 1-1-0-517.5
- Texas Rattlers, 1-1-0-261.25
- Nashville Stampede, 1-2-0-426.5
- Missouri Thunder, 1-2-0-347.25
- Austin Gamblers, 0-2-0-174
- New York Mavericks, 0-3-0-82.5
About the Oklahoma Wildcatters:
Oklahoma Wildcatters, owned by FJS Ventures and based at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, is led by Talor Gooch, a 10-season professional golfer and the 2023 LIV Golf Player of The Year, alongside Preston Lyon. Preston serves as the CEO/President of Lyon Sports Group, bringing several years of experience and a new vision of athlete representation. Gooch, born in Midwest City, Oklahoma, and a graduate of Oklahoma State, is actively involved in philanthropy through the Talor Gooch Foundation, uplifting and empowering children in Oklahoma. Lyon, beyond sports representation, engages in strategic investments, viewing his clients as more than just athletes. Lyon was born in Gastonia, NC, and now resides with his family in Charlotte, NC. Both passionate about PBR, they have chosen the Oklahoma Wildcatters as their inaugural business venture in their new partnership portfolio.
About the PBR Camping World Team Series:
The PBR Camping World Team Series is an elite league featuring the world’s top bull riders competing on teams in five-on-five games leading to a Team Championship at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. During the 2024 season, the league’s third, each of the 10 teams – Austin Gamblers of Austin, TX; Arizona Ridge Riders of Glendale, AZ; Carolina Cowboys of Greensboro, NC; Florida Freedom of Sunrise, FL; Kansas City Outlaws of Kansas City, MO; Nashville Stampede of Nashville, TN; New York Mavericks of Brooklyn, NY; OK; Oklahoma Wildcatters of Oklahoma City, OK; Missouri Thunder of Springfield, MO; and Texas Rattlers of Fort Worth, TX– will host a homestand. Neutral-site games in Anaheim, CA and Duluth, GA are planned as well.
PBR Teams, launched in July 2022, builds on the existing structure of professional bull riding with the same basic rules for judging and scoring qualified 8-second bull rides. In events staged in a tournament-style format, all teams compete in head-to-head matchups against a different opponent each day. Each game features five riders per team squaring off against another team. Full team rosters are comprised of seven riders on the Protected Roster and five Reserve riders. The team with the highest aggregate score of qualified rides among its riders is declared the winner of each game. All PBR Teams events are carried on either the CBS Television Network, streaming live on Paramount+, or Merit Street Media.
