Oklahoma Freedom: 176.25

Carolina Cowboys: 91.75

FORTH WORTH, Texas – The Oklahoma Freedom overtook the No. 1 rank in the league standings for the first time in the team’s history Sunday afternoon, dethroning the now No. 2 Carolina Cowboys when they rode their final two bulls to defeat the contingent 176.25-91.75 on Championship Sunday at PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series competition in Fort Worth, Texas.

In a battle of titans, the Carolina Cowboys converted in their first out as 2016 PBR World Champion Cooper Davis (Jasper, Texas) dominated Pickle Moonshine (Shuler Bucking Bulls) for a commanding 91.75 points.

Hopeful to answer in the bottom of the frame, Freedom Captain Eli Vastbinder (Statesville, North Carolina) was bested in a close 6.26 seconds by Medicine Man (TNT Bucking Bulls), resulting in no score for Oklahoma.

The scoreboard remained unchanged in the second as newcomers to both teams, Carolina’s Sandro Batista (Pedra Preta, Brazil) and Oklahoma’s Tate Pollmeier (Fort Scott, Kansas), failed to convert.

In the top of the third, 2020 PBR Rookie of the Year Boudreaux Campbell (Crockett, Texas) was positioned to put Carolina two bulls ahead aboard War Dress (Jane Clark/Gene Owen), but he couldn’t get the job done, tossed to the ground in a quick 3.4 seconds.

Opening the door for the Freedom, Trevor Reiste (Linden, Iowa) was initially tasked with EL Cid (Rockin R Bucking Bulls/Jim & Shannon Barr); however, a foul in the chutes when the gates initially opened was found when the out was reviewed by officials, giving the Freedom a valued re-ride attempt.

Following a scoreless fourth, a high-pressure final frame was architected, which would determine whether Carolina or Oklahoma would conclude PBR Rattler Days as the No. 1 team in the league, going head-to-head with matching 14-10 records.

Carolina had one out remaining, however the Freedom had two, including the pending re-ride.

With the chance to force Oklahoma into a must-ride position in both outs, reigning PBR World Champion Daylon Swearingen (Piffard, New York) climbed atop a familiar opponent in WSM’s Nasty Wishes (WSM Auctioneers/Clay Struve/Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger).

Swearingen had attempted the bull three prior times, earning a score in each matchup, including for 91.25 points during the 2022 Unleash The Beast season in Los Angeles.

Swearingen was unable to replicate his past successes, bucked off in an uncharacteristic 5.11 seconds, setting up Oklahoma for two chances at a walk-off win scenario.

First up for the Freedom was closer Derek Kolbaba (Walla Walla, Washington) on Safety Meeting (Hruuby/Kainz/Clay Struve/Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger). Another familiar showdown, Kolbaba had attempted the bull three times prior, making the whistle only once. Evening the score with the powerful animal athlete, Kolbaba reached the requisite 8 for 89.25 points as the crowd went wild.

Via the score, the Freedom pulled within 2.5 points of the lead.

Out last for the team was Reiste atop re-ride draw Marciano (Hookin’ W Ranch). Reiste was collected, remaining centered aboard the bull to turn in the team’s second score for 87 points, clinching the game win and propelling the Freedom to No. 1 in the PBR Team Series standings.

The Oklahoma Freedom concluded PBR Rattlers Days with a 2-1 record in game play and improved to 15-10 on the season. The Carolina Cowboys were blanked, going 0-3 in Fort Worth and backsliding to 14-11 in 2022 competition.

Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media