Washington’s Kolbaba Dominates Round 1 of PBR Wrangler Invitational, Presented by Cooper Tires, in Tacoma

By: Mandi McCary

TACOMA, Wash. – As the 2022 Unleash The Beast (UTB) season dwindles to just five weeks remaining before the start of the PBR World Finals on May 13 in Fort Worth, Texas, Washington’s Derek Kolbaba (Walla Walla, Washington) made his home state proud as he dominated Round 1 of the PBR Wrangler Invitational, presented by Cooper Tires.

Kolbaba, who was initially paired with Highway to Hell (Corey & Lange Rodeo) and received a 74.25-point score, accepted a re-ride when judges determined the bull did not buck to his fullest potential.

Matched with Safety Meeting (Hruby/ Kainz/ Clay Struve/ Dakota Rodeo/ Chad Berger) as his re-ride, the crowd in Tacoma cheered as Kolbaba sailed from the chutes.

The fans then reached a deafening roar when Kolbaba’s ride score of 89.5 points was announced, eventually clinching Kolbaba his first round win of the 2022 season.

 
As he makes a play this weekend to move into the Top 10, Kolbaba collected 28 world points for winning the round to hold tight to his No. 16 spot in the world standings.

World No. 1 Joao Ricardo Vieira (Itatinga, Brazil) did not have the Friday night he hoped for in Tacoma.

Despite being launched to the dirt by Cold Turkey (Corey & Lange Rodeo) at 3.79 seconds, Vieira still maintains his lead atop the world standings, sitting 96.34 ahead of No. 2-ranked man Daylon Swearingen (Piffard, New York).

Close on Kolbaba’s heels Friday night was a dynamic duo of Brazilian cowboys.

Manoelito de Souza Junior (Itamira, Brazil) and Alex Marcilio (Macaubal, Brazil) shared second place in Round 1 with matching 88.75-point rides.

Both riders received 17.5 world points for their successful night.

Paired with Mr. Winston (Dakota Rodeo/Mark Baker/Clay Struve/Chad Berger), Souza began the night at No. 17 in the world standings and held tight to that as the round ended.

After besting WSM’s Sun Country (WSM Auctioneers/ Clay Struve/ Dakota Rodeo/ Chad Berger), Marcilio climbed into the Top 35 in the world standings from No. 42 to No. 34.

Three-time PBR World Champion Silvano Alves (Pilar do Sul, Brazil) also cracked the Top 35 on Friday night with his fourth-place finish.

On a night where the animal athletes of the PBR showcased their incredible talent, besting half the field of riders, Alves was the second qualified ride of the night.

Starting the night in the No. 43 spot in the world standings, Alves moved to No. 35 after earning 16 world points for his 88.5-point score aboard Quicksilver (Hawkins Bucking Bulls).

Rounding out the Top 5 for Round 1 in Tacoma was Texas young gun Austin Richardson (Dallas, Texas).

The 22-year-old was paired with WSM’s Nasty Wishes (WSM Auctioneers/ Clay Struve/ Dakota Rodeo/ Chad Berger) late in the round.

Richardson was all smiles as his 88.25-point score came in.

Earning 15 world points for his night, Richardson holds at No. 14 in the world standings.

 
The best bull riders in the world will return to the Tacoma Dome at 6:45 p.m. PDT on Saturday, April 9, for Round 2 of the PBR Wrangler Invitational, presented by Cooper Tires.

PBR RidePass on Pluto TV will offer re-airs and on-demand replays of every PBR Unleash The Beast event. PBR RidePass is available on desktops, laptops and mobile devices via www.pluto.tv. Tune to channel 720 for the latest programming schedule.

PBR Unleash The Beast – PBR Wrangler Invitational, presented by Cooper Tires
Tacoma Dome -Tacoma, Washington
Event Leaders (Round 1-Round 1-Round 2-Round 3-Event Aggregate-Event Points)

1. Derek Kolbaba, 89.5-0-0-0-89.50-28 Points.
2. Manoelito de Souza Junior, 88.75-0-0-0-88.75-17.5 Points.
(tie). Alex Marcilio, 88.75-0-0-0-88.75-17.5 Points.
4. Silvano Alves, 88.5-0-0-0-88.50-16 Points.
5. Austin Richardson, 88.25-0-0-0-88.25-15 Points.
6. Brady Fielder, 87-0-0-0-87.00-13.5 Points.
(tie). Brandon Davis, 87-0-0-0-87.00-13.5 Points.
8. Clayton Sellars, 86.75-0-0-0-86.75-11.5 Points.
(tie). Adriano Salgado, 86.75-0-0-0-86.75-11.5 Points.
10. Dener Barbosa, 85.75-0-0-0-85.75-10 Points.
11. Dalton Kasel, 85.25-0-0-0-85.25-9 Points.
12. Taylor Toves, 85-0-0-0-85.00-8 Points.
13. João Henrique Lucas, 84.75-0-0-0-84.75-8 Points.
(tie). Keyshawn Whitehorse, 84.75-0-0-0-84.75-8 Points.
15. Mason Taylor, 84.5-0-0-0-84.50-8 Points.
16. Marco Eguchi, 84.25-0-0-0-84.25-8 Points.
(tie). Alisson De Souza, 84.25-0-0-0-84.25-8 Points.
18. Ramon de Lima, 83.75-0-0-0-83.75-8 Points.
19. Kaique Pacheco, 82.75-0-0-0-82.75-8 Points.
20. Mauricio Gulla Moreira, 66.5-0-0-0-66.50
João Ricardo Vieira, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Daylon Swearingen, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Luciano De Castro, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Chase Dougherty, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Eduardo Aparecido, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Eli Vastbinder, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Bob Mitchell, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Marcelo Procopio Pereira, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Matt Triplett, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Brady Oleson, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Claudio Montanha Jr., 0-0-0-0-0.00
Ezekiel Mitchell, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Alex Cardozo, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Dakota Louis, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Conner Halverson, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Casey Coulter, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Sam Woodall, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Jesse Petri, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Dawson Branton, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Colten Fritzlan, 0-0-0-0-0.00

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