Austin Gamblers Earn Team’s First Victory with Win Against Home-State Rival Texas Rattlers
By: Kacie Albert
TRYON, N.C. – At the final PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series Preseason event of the year in Tryon, North Carolina, no team was more dominant than the Arizona Ridge Riders. Rebounding from a dismal 0-2 showing at the first preseason event in Bismarck, North Dakota, the Ridge Riders were a picture of perfection at the PBR Tryon Chute Out, winning both of their games and posting the lone qualified ride of the Bonus Round.
“Well, we just wrapped up the big win here in Tryon at the last preseason,” said Arizona Ridge Riders Technical Coach Paulo Crimber. “Alisson de Souza was one of our heavy hitters. He’s going to be on the team going to Cheyenne for sure, and he pulled the weight. He led the way for the younger guys and showed them it’s possible to win, no matter what you’ve got. If you do what you’re supposed to do, it still works. I’m very proud. We’re going back to TR9 to get our camp going and get them guys more ready for Cheyenne.”
As action got underway at the Tryon International Equestrian Center Friday evening, the Arizona Ridge Riders earned the team’s first victory when they beat the Nashville Stampede, 170-86. Continuing their momentum Saturday night in front of a sold-out crowd, the Ridge Riders won their second consecutive game, defeating the Oklahoma Freedom 255.5-86.
The Ridge Riders clinched the event win as the only team to be flawless in gameplay in Tryon.
With the Bonus Round remaining, the Ridge Riders used their first pick in the draft to have Alisson de Souza (Taubate, Brazil) take on Mike’s Motive (Blake Sharp/High Voltage Cattle/American Spirits/Koe Wetzel). As the only team to reach the requisite 8, Souza punctuated the Ridge Riders’ dominant showing with an 89.5-point ride.
In the overall preseason standings, the Arizona Ridge Riders finished third, going 2-2 in gameplay and amassing 509.25 aggregate and 11 Bonus Round points.
The regular season for the 2022 PBR Team Series will begin July 25-26 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, held during the iconic Cheyenne Frontier Days. Action will begin nightly at 6:45 p.m. MT. CBS Sports Network will carry the action LIVE at 10 p.m. ET.
The game matchups for the first day of the regular season on July 25 are:
• Texas Rattlers vs. Missouri Thunder
• Carolina Cowboys vs. Nashville Stampede
• Oklahoma Freedom vs. Kansas City Outlaws
• Austin Gamblers vs. Arizona Ridge Riders
PBR RidePass on Pluto TV will offer re-airs and on-demand replays of all the PBR Team Series action. PBR RidePass is available on desktops, laptops, and mobile devices via www.pluto.tv. Tune to channel 720 for the latest programming schedule.
Austin Gamblers: 244.50
Texas Rattlers: 86.25
In the third game of Saturday evening’s PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series Preseason event in Tryon, North Carolina, the Austin Gamblers reached a crucial milestone and did so in memorable fashion. Going head-to-head with fellow Lone Star State outfit Texas Rattlers, the Gamblers recorded the team’s first game win, defeating the Rattlers 244.5-86.25. The Gamblers jumped to an early lead as Conner Halverson (Gordon, Nebraska) covered Axel Surgeon (Halpain Bucking Bulls) for 86.25 points. The Rattlers were quick to respond in their second trip of the night when Rafael Jose de Brito (Potirendaba, Brazil) brought the game to a tie by posting his own 86.25-point effort atop Ink Spot (Mason Bucking Bulls). While Austin Richardson (Dallas, Cowboys) couldn’t give the Gamblers the lead back in their next out, Dakota Louis (Browning, Montana) delivered the contingent the go-ahead score in the next section of contenders. Following a buckoff for the Rattlers by Marco Juarez (Anthony, New Mexico), Louis covered Buckle Up (Mason Bucking Bulls) for 85 points to give the Gamblers a 171.25-86.25 lead.
The game then reached a new level of intensity as Jake Morinec (Mokena, Illinois) and Ezekiel Mitchell (Rockdale, Texas) took to the chutes for their teams in the fourth frame. While both riders were awarded re-rides, Mitchell’s trip with Rock Solid’s Booger Sugar (Rock Solid Bucking Bulls/Dizzy) ended in a score, with the Gamblers awarded 73.25 points. In a business decision, Austin Gamblers Head Coach Michael Gaffney declined the re-ride, adding to his team’s lead as the scoreboard read 244.5-86.25. Needing to score, the fate of the Texas Rattlers was left in the hands of Travis Wimberley (Las Lunas, New Mexico). Unable to rise to the moment, Wimberley was bested by 7 Up (Team Alaska) in 3.05 seconds, cementing the victory for the Gamblers. The Gamblers improved to 1-1, while the Rattlers slipped to 1-1 following their first loss in North Carolina.
“It feels fantastic to get on base in those three ways,” said Austin Gamblers Head Coach Michael Gaffney. “Those guys needed that punch of positivity and momentum and just some feel-good points.”
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