Teel Believes 2020 Team USA Can Rally Together Like Victorious 2017 Squad
By: Justin Felisko
PUEBLO, Colo. – The last thing the Team USA Eagles needed was for Cody Teel to get stepped on by Catfish Clinger this past weekend at the Wrangler Long Live Cowboys Classic following his 85.25-point ride in Round 3.
The good news, though, is that Teel avoided serious injury during the quick scare, and he said this week that he is ready to return to competition this weekend in Oklahoma City at the Express Ranches Invitational.
“I’m pretty stiff in my groins,” Teel said. “I should be good to go Friday. It is just muscle more than anything.”
Teel still rode Tupac for 68.75 points in the championship round after Catfish Clinger stepped on him, but he was in too much pain to accept a re-ride option.
“I felt I was good enough that I could stay on and be competitive,” Teel said. “It just got everything firing when he sailed off on me. Then that was it.”
The 27-year-old went on to finish in seventh-place overall (25.75 world points) with his 3-for-4 showing.
Teel is the only rider on the 2020 Eagles who was a member of the Team USA squad that won the inaugural Global Cup in Edmonton, Alberta, three years ago.
The College Station, Texas, bull rider is expected to be one of the veteran leaders for the Eagles who coach Justin McBride will look to at the upcoming 2020 WinStar World Casino and Resort Global Cup USA, presented by Monster Energy, on Feb. 15-16 in Arlington, Texas.
The 2012 PRCA champion saw firsthand an American squad completely ravaged by injuries storm Canada and win the first-ever Global Cup in memorable fashion.
Unexpected heroes such as Stormy Wing (3-for-4, event average winner) and Cole Melancon (82.5 points off the side of Bourbon Oak) stepped up with riders such as two-time World Champion Jess Lockwood, Chase Outlaw and Matt Triplett all unable to make the trip north of the border because of various injuries.
“That is the thing,” Teel said. “That team. That never crossed any of our minds. It was one direction. It was doing our job, staying on and letting the chips fall as they may. We were all just focused on staying on our bulls. All of that other stuff to worry about, we didn’t think about. That will be the same case here. Everyone is going to be excited and eager and ready to represent. Each guy will be focusing on doing their job. That is what it comes down to. Once you get there, it is just bull riding at that point. Everything kind of simplifies at that point when your buddies are back there on the chutes pumping you up.”
Teel believes that the 2017 squad is a good example for this year’s team that they too can overcome the loss of talented riders Cooper Davis and Outlaw and once again regain bull riding dominance.
“When you step into the arena, that is all everybody is going to be focused about,” Teel said. “Not the situation of who is there or not there. You have to be ready to climb into the bucking chute.”
The 2020 squad is actually better on paper compared to the 2017 team.
The 2020 Eagles team still features reigning two-time World Champion Jess Lockwood, reigning six-time PRCA champion Sage Kimzey, 2019 Rookie of the Year Dalton Kasel, six-time PBR World Finals qualifier Matt Triplett and the recently named Boudreaux Campbell.
Teel went 1-for-2 in Edmonton for Team USA. Last year, Teel went 2-for-3 in Arlington with 89 points on Stunt Man Ray and 87 points on Gambini.
Outside of getting stomped on in Sacramento, Teel finally is beginning to get back to his old form since tearing ligaments (ACL/MCL) in his left knee during the 2019 PBR World Finals. Teel did not need surgery this offseason, but he admitted he had not felt like himself through the first three events.
“It is just that timing and rhythm is not there,” Teel said. “I have been kind of forcing it a little bit too much. At first, I would say I spent all month (December) focusing on the knee, focusing on the knee. Then I got to New York, and it is good. Now it is just getting things rolling. It feels good and solid, but I have to get the confidence in it.”
Teel eventually recognized he was mentally not preparing to ride bulls after spending so much time rehabbing his knee.
He had to rehab his mind to take on the sport fearlessly again.
“It is a mistake you can easily make,” Teel said. “It is hard not to think about (the knee at first). It wasn’t until the last week of December that I was really pushing it pretty hard, doing more and more and it gradually got better. It hasn’t bothered me, but now I need to focus on riding. That is part of the rehab. You have to learn to balance that and keep everything in perspective about what you are working to.”
Teel began the season 3-for-9 before bouncing back in Sacramento with his 3-for-4 showing.
The No. 41-ranked bull rider is back on track following Sacramento, and as long as he recovers from his injuries, he appears ready to build off his 3-for-4 showing this weekend in Oklahoma City.
Teel has drawn Vanished (2-0, UTB) for Round 1.
Fans can watch Round 1 exclusively on RidePass beginning at 8:45 p.m. ET.
“It is frustrating,” Teel said. “I have to do the basics right and do the little things. It will get going. I feel good about it.”
Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko
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