Melancon Overcomes Travel Woes to Help Kansas City Finish Preseason on Top
By: Justin Felisko
PUEBLO, Colo. – Cole Melancon was desperately trying to get to Tryon, North Carolina, last Friday ahead of the Kansas City Outlaws’ preseason game against the Texas Rattlers, but he kept running into problem after problem.
Melancon’s original flight from Houston to Charlotte was delayed, so he switched to a later direct flight that would still get him into North Carolina with enough time to make the two-hour drive to Tryon.
Just when it appeared Melancon would be well on his way, the plane’s tie-rod snapped as the plane was backing up, causing the front tire to be ripped off.
At that point, Melancon was screwed, with no way to make it in time for the Outlaws’ game.
“I was really upset I didn’t make it yesterday,” Melancon said after finally making it to Tryon on Saturday afternoon following another flight delay and two hours of traffic on the interstate. “I had a really good bull I knew I could’ve rode and helped the team get the dub, but it happens. It was a freak accident.”
In the regular season, this same scenario would have resulted in an automatic zero if Kansas City did not have an alternate in attendance, but the PBR allowed Kansas City to select a rider to ride twice in its game against Texas. Tate Pollmeier – a three-time Kansas High School Rodeo Association State Champion – took on the challenge for the Outlaws, bucking off Dr. Campbell in 2.27 seconds before riding Mic Drop for 84.75 points.
Texas defeated Kansas City 174.5-84.75.
Melancon, though, stepped up for his team on Saturday by converting aboard Jingle & Go for 85.5 points as the Outlaws defeated the Missouri Thunder 172-0 to finish the preseason a PBR Team Series-best 3-1.
View this post on Instagram
The 28-year-old could have easily decided just to stay home. Melancon’s right groin is still not 100% after he was stepped on during his game-winning ride for the Outlaws two weeks ago in Bismarck, North Dakota, and he knows he needs to heal up.
However, Melancon knew it was important to help his Outlaw teammates out and continue to build momentum toward the season-opener in Cheyenne, Wyoming, on July 25-26 and the team’s upcoming homestand in Kansas City – Outlaw Days (Aug. 5-7).
“It’s been a long two days, but I was happy to get here,” Melancon said. “He was a handful there – I kind of got to the outside, and he put a lot of pressure on that leg, and it hurt me really bad. For a split second there, it ran through my head – I almost checked out. Then I was like, ‘I’m going to make one more move,’ made a move and got right back to the middle, and I was like, ‘Shit, it worked – keep going, keep going, keep going.’
“I felt like it was forever, and I never heard a whistle or anything. I saw the bullfighters move in, but it was too late then. I was already going over his head, so I just hoped the whistle blew.”
Melancon has been one of two impact free-agent signings by Kansas City coach J.W. Hart and his management team this preseason. Melancon went a perfect 2-for-2 in two preseason games, while fellow free agent Marcus Mast led the Outlaws in qualified rides (3) and was the temporary team captain with Hart and Team Captain Dalton Kasel unable to be in Tryon.
Melancon is looking forward to taking some time off to fully let his groin heal, but he is happy to see the Outlaws finish the preseason strong.
“I was banged up from last weekend still,” Melancon said. “I thought it was better, but the last few days, it’s been really giving me a fit. But I knew if I could get here and get straddled to one, I could ride him. And I did, but I’m definitely feeling it now, and I just need a little more time to rest. Maybe a week or so, and it’ll be good. But I’m happy that I made it.”
FINAL PBR TEAM SERIES PRESEASON STANDINGS
1. Kansas City Outlaws (3-1, 14 Bonus Points)
2. Missouri Thunder (2-2, 12 Bonus Points)
3. Arizona Ridge Riders (2-2, 11 Bonus Points)
4. Oklahoma Freedom (2-2, 10 Bonus Points)
5. Nashville Stampede (2-2, 9 Bonus Points)
6. Texas Rattlers (2-2, 7 Bonus Points)
7. Carolina Cowboys (2-2, 5 Bonus Points)
8. Austin Gamblers (2-2, 4 Bonus Points)
Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko
Photo courtesy of Andre Silva/Bull Stock Media
© 2022 PBR Inc. All rights reserved.