Kasel Says Latest Practice Session Feels Much Better than February
By: Justin Felisko
PUEBLO, Colo. – For the first time in almost two months, Dalton Kasel was back doing what he loves – at least in the practice pen.
The 2019 Rookie of the Year attempted two practice bulls this past weekend in Texas as he continues his rehabilitation from a torn right groin that he sustained at the 2020 Iron Cowboy, presented by Ariat, on Feb. 7.
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Kasel said on Monday via text message that his practice session this weekend “went good” and that he “felt awesome.”
The 21-year-old posted his qualified ride on his Instagram, but he explained Monday that he also got caught overriding another bull and bucked off into the well around the five-second mark.
Regardless, Kasel said this practice session felt a lot better compared to earlier this year, when he returned to action in February despite not feeling 100 percent in the practice pen.
Kasel tried to return in in Los Angeles after he underwent core repair surgery on both of his groins following the 2019 PBR World Finals in November.
The second-year pro was nowhere near ready, he later admitted, at Iron Cowboy when Oscar’s Ghost bucked him off in 5.59 seconds, tearing his groin in a different location than his 2019 injury. Luckily, Kasel did not need to undergo surgery again, and he has been able to rest and rehab the injury outside of the operating room.
Kasel explained last month that he was hopeful he could return to competition by the end of April, and he appears on track for such a return whenever the PBR is able to resume its schedule. The PBR season is currently on hiatus because of the ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak worldwide.
The Muleshoe, Texas, bull rider was hopeful he could contend for the 2020 World Championship this season following his breakout rookie campaign last season. Depending on when he returns, he could still have time to make a push at the title, but that would be realistically tough. The 2020 PBR World Finals are set for Nov. 4-8 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Kasel finished eighth in the world last season despite not making his Unleash The Beast debut until Aug. 10 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Kasel went 14-for-35 with two 90-point rides, a victory in Nampa, Idaho, and four Top-5 finishes in 10 events.
“The way I am looking at it, last year I didn’t start going to PBRs until the middle of June, and I ended up in the Top 10,” Kasel said last month. “This year, it is not anything different. It is just another deal. I am craving it so much that I am not worried one bit about any of that. I am going to let my body be right before I come back.”
Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko
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