Parker McCown, Trevor Kastner Out Two Rounds With Injuries
ARLINGTON, Texas – Bull riders Parker McCown and Trevor Kastner are both doctor-released out for Rounds 7 and 8, a Justin Sportsmedicine spokesman acknowledged Wednesday.
McCown, who is making his Wrangler National Finals Rodeo debut, is out because of a right (riding) shoulder separation and right shoulder joint fracture.
Kastner, an NFR veteran, is injured with a right (riding) shoulder blade fracture.
McCown was injured in Round 4 following his 88.5-point ride on Vold Rodeo’s Bar Fly when he crashed to the arena dirt at Globe Life Field, Dec. 6. He placed sixth in Round 5 with an 84-point ride on Salt River Rodeo’s Rocky Road. However, he re-injured his shoulder when he was bucked off Four Star Rodeo’s Hell Hound in Round 6.
McCown, who finished 11th in the regular-season PRCA | RAM World Standings, was frustrated to be sidelined.
“It was definitely a good experience,” said McCown, 21. “I had a lot of fun. It didn’t turn out like I wanted, but I’m grateful that I got a few of them ridden and won that money.”
McCown said he will undergo surgery Dec. 16 in Fort Worth, Texas, with Dr. Tandy Freeman, the Medical Director of the Justin Sportsmedicine team, operating.
McCown wasn’t sure if he would ride in Rounds 9 or 10.
“I’m going to see, but it’s a slight chance,” he said.
McCown has earned $42,577 at the Finals and has climbed to ninth in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $98,138.
In 2019, he earned $72,543 to finish atop the PRCA | RAM Rodeo Permit Standings in bull riding, breaking several PRCA permit records along the way.
He set the record for most money won on a PRCA permit for one year including ground money, breaking the mark of $51,270 set by bull rider Trey Kimzey in 2018. McCown also shattered the record for most money won on a permit for a career in one event not including ground money with $93,002. He was on his permit in 2018 and 2019.
McCown is cousin to NFL quarterbacks Luke McCown and Josh McCown.
Parker McCown powered through the injury in Rounds 5 and 6.
“It was hard. I just knew that God had my back and it was his plan, so I was going to fulfill it,” he said. “Whatever happens, I was going to go along with it. It was hard to stay on top, I had to change up my style a little bit.”
Kastner is at his sixth NFR (2011-13, 2018-20) and third consecutive.
Kastner took third in the first round with an 87-point ride on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Newsome but has failed to make the whistle in the last five rounds.
He thinks he was injured in the third round while aboard United Pro Rodeo’s Diamond Cutter.
“I haven’t watched it back, but I’m guessing it was from hitting the ground,” he said.
He tried to ride through the pain the last few rounds.
“It works for little while, but if I do certain things it hurts worse,” he said. “I’m pretty sore.”
Kastner has earned $25,654 at the Finals this season. He was in 13th place in the world standings with $80,935 as of Wednesday.
In 2018, Kastner missed the last four rounds due to injury. His best finish came in 2012 when he was fifth in the world standings.
Like McCown, Kastner is hoping to compete again.
“I’m hoping to be back for the last two (rounds),” he said. “But I’ll wait and see how it feels and go from there.”
Courtesy of PRCA