Dougherty Thankful to Not Need to have Appendix Removed
By: Justin Felisko
LINCOLN, Neb. – It was only a week ago when Chase Dougherty was sitting inside the emergency room at Elliott Hospital in Manchester, New Hampshire, unsure of his immediate future.
Dougherty had been experiencing abdominal pain for over 24 hours and Dr. Tandy Freeman had advised him before the start of the final night of competition at the PBR Monster Energy Invitational that he should head to the hospital to rule out the possibility that he was suffering from appendicitis.
When Dougherty heard those words, his first thought was, “What if they have to remove my appendix? Would I be good for the World Finals?”
Freeman couldn’t give him a definitive answer until Dougherty underwent full testing at the hospital.
The 2021 Rookie of the Year contender’s mind was racing.
“My heart just hit the dirt because that is what I have been working for all year,” Dougherty said.
The good news for Dougherty was doctors at Elliott Hospital ruled out appendicitis and Dougherty was just diagnosed with a stomach illness, possibly even food poisoning.
It was a huge relief, to say the least, and it was a reminder to Dougherty just how close he is to fulfilling a lifelong dream of qualifying for the PBR World Finals, and to not take that opportunity for granted.
Dougherty explained on Saturday night in Lincoln, Nebraska, following his 83.5-point ride on Hustling Money during Round 1 of PBR Cooper Tires Invitational, which ended a streak of seven consecutive buckoffs, that he actually wished he would have had wake-up call sooner this season.
“I wish that would have happened a lot sooner because I have been struggling these last few weeks,” Dougherty said. “I needed a kick in the butt and to say, ‘Hey, I know you are close to your goals, but that doesn’t mean you can take your foot off the gas.’
“I learned that the hard way and I am glad I was able to come back this weekend and do what I want here.”
Dougherty earned eight points toward the world standings with his 17th-place finish in Round 1, and the second-ranked rider in the Rookie of the Year race trails Junior Patrik Souza, who tied with Andrew Alvidrez for the ound 1 win in Lincoln, by 67 points heading into Championship Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
The 23-year-old has drawn Chuck (3-1, UTB) for Round 2 (8 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network). Chuck bucked off Daylon Swearingen in 7.92 seconds in Round 1.
Souza will look to continue his pursuit of his first premier series event win when he takes on Slumlord (2-1, UTB). Slumlord bucked off Manoelito de Souza Jr. in 3.61 seconds on Saturday night.
Dougherty and Souza were not the only two rookies to strike in Round 1.
Jesse Petri, last weekend’s winner in Manchester, placed fifth in the round with 86.75 points aboard Breaking Records. Petri is 72.92 points behind Souza in the extremely tight Rookie of the Year Race.
No. 7 rookie Marcelo Procopio Pereira finished Round 1 tied for seventh with his 85.75 points on Oilfield Outlaw’s Hickory (85.75 points).
Petri and Dougherty are close friends and have been traveling up-and-down the PBR schedule all season long together.
Earlier in the afternoon, Dougherty got the best of Petri in a game of Texas Hold ‘em where the two rookies were betting Skittles with fellow rider Mason Taylor.
Dougherty said seeing his buddy get the win in Manchester last weekend just fired him up that much more heading into the World Finals on Nov. 3 in Las Vegas.
“I love it because now he is right before me, and I get to watch him,” Dougherty said. “I can’t let him be the only one staying on.”
Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko
Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media
© 2021 PBR Inc. All rights reserved.