10.20.24 - Teams
Austin Gamblers win 2024 PBR Teams Championship
No. 5 Austin Gamblers upset No. 2 Carolina Cowboys by 105 points, 357.5-252.5.
By Kacie Albert
During the third iteration of the bull riding league’s postseason tournament, inclusive of the Ride-In Round, the competing riders went 67-for-146, covering a torrid 45.89% of their animal athlete opponents. The Gamblers led all teams, going 15-for-24 (62.5%), including on Championship Sunday the team’s first perfect game and the league’s sixth.
In the ride putting the Gamblers ahead for the final time in the Championship Game, Dalton Kasel registered the high-marked score of the tournament when dominating Always Been Crazy for a mammoth 92 points in the fourth frame.
Austin reached the Championship Game for the second consecutive season in historic fashion. In the semifinals, the No. 5 Gamblers upset the No. 1 Kansas City Outlaws by 75.25 points, 432.75-357.5, the only perfect game during the league’s 2024 Championship event.
Both teams were perfect through the first two frames. Courtesy of scores from Koltin Hevalow and Maikon Calixto Rocha, the Outlaws led by 10 points entering the third. The Gamblers retook the lead by 73.75 points courtesy of a clutch 87.75-point ride from Lucas Divino. Kansas City then became the first team to stumble in the bottom of the frame when Sandro Batista was deemed to have slapped Flapjack at the 7.16-second mark.
In the fourth, Austin forced Kansas City into a must-ride position. Kasel dominated Baldy for a monster 90.25 points, growing the Gamblers’ lead to two ride scores (168 points) with just two Outlaws remaining. But Kansas City still had fight in the tank. Brennon Eldred responded with a mammoth ride of his own, besting Magic Hunter for 90.5 points, more than halving Austin’s lead to 77.5 points.
While Kansas City staved off defeat in the fourth, Austin had the chance to clinch the game win early in the top of the fifth with two-time PBR World Champion and two-time PBR Teams MVP Jose Vitor Leme facing Feeds Red River to deliver the Gamblers’ first perfect game. Leme made the whistle with ease, marked 89 points to propel Austin to the Championship Game. Following a 91.25-point ride from Kansas City closer Cassio Dias on Mike’s Motive, the final scoreboard read a 75.25-point Austin win, 432.75-357.5.
The No. 1 Carolina Cowboys advanced to their team’s first Championship Game with a one-ride-score, 87.5-point win against the No. 3 Florida Freedom, 178.25-90.75. The Cowboys clinched the game win early courtesy of crucial scores from Cooper Davis and Daylon Swearingen in the second and fourth frames, coupled with four consecutive buckoffs from Florida. While the Freedom lost, Crimber improved to 3-for-3 during the Championship in recording the Freedom’s lone score in the final frame, a 90.75-point ride on Renegade.
The Championship Game began in rapid fire with the first four outs resulting in scores and the lead changing three times.
Austin struck first as Kaique Pacheco bested Ah Hell for 88 points, but Carolina responded in the very next out, claiming the lead by 0.75 points when Davis recorded an 88.75-point score on Down Payment.
The Gamblers wouldn’t trail for long. In the top of the second, Austin leapfrogged Carolina by 87.75 points courtesy of an 88.5-point ride registered by Divino on Big Chew. While Carolina converted in the bottom of the second, with Derek Kolbaba besting Watch Out for 87.5 points, it was not enough to overtake the Gamblers, who led by 0.25 points entering the third.
Austin then hit its first roadblock of the day to launch the middle round of outs. While Ramon de Lima initially appeared centered on Army Slasher, he was brought down in 5.29 seconds, opening the door for Carolina to recapture the lead. Capitalizing on the moment, Carolina elected to keep Adriano Salgado’s 76.25-point ride on Wingman, despite being offered a re-ride. Their third-straight ride had Carolina in the lead by 76 points, 252.5-176.5, entering the fourth.
The Gamblers, however, were on the precipice of an out that would be the go-ahead score that would determine the Championship. Kasel was marked a tournament-best 92 points on Always Been Crazy, catapulting Austin to the lead by 16 points.
Carolina then found itself needing a score from Swearingen on Norse God, but the 2022 PBR World Champion did not have enough, whipped down in 4.64 seconds.
Via the buckoff, Austin had the chance to cement the game win early in the top of the fifth as Leme climbed aboard Tijuana Two-Step. A score of 84.25 points or more would clinch the 2024 PBR Teams Championship for Austin. Leme delivered a picture-perfect, 89-point ride, putting the game out of reach for Carolina by 105 points and clinching the Gamblers’ first PBR Teams Championship.
Carolina had one out remaining, but Sage Steele Kimzey was unable to conclude the game in successful form for his team, brought down in a close 7.19 seconds by Manaba.
At the conclusion of the 10 outs, the No. 5 Austin Gamblers earned the 2024 PBR Teams Championship by 105 points, upsetting the No. 2 Carolina Cowboys 357.5-252.5.
In the Third-Place Game, the Kansas City Outlaws rebounded in triumphant form, beating the Florida Freedom by one ride score and 87 points, 176.25-89.25. Kansas City clinched the game win early courtesy of back-to-back scores from Hevalow and Heitor Santos Ferreira, paired with three straight buckoffs from Florida.
Much like their Semifinal Game, the Freedom prevented a scoreless loss courtesy of a key 89.25-point ride from their closer Crimber on Peterbilt. The ride led Crimber to complete the 2024 PBR Teams Championship a perfect 4-for-4, ultimately named the 2024 PBR Teams Championship MVP.
The 2024 PBR Camping World Teams Championship and preceding 2024 PBR Challenger Series Championship also featured the 2024 ABBI (American Bucking Bull Inc.) World Finals. Following two rounds of competition, King Tut (Less Than 8 Cattle Co.) bucked supreme, crowned both the ABBI World Finals Classic Champion and ABBI Classic World Champion, earning $110,000 for his efforts.
On-demand replays of all the PBR Teams action will be available the following day on the Merit+ app.
SCORE BULLETINS
No. 5 Austin Gamblers Register Sixth Perfect Game in League History, Upsetting the League No. 1 Kansas City Outlaws to Advance to the Championship Game of the 2024 PBR Teams Championship
Austin Gamblers: 432.75
Kansas City Outlaws: 357.5
LAS VEGAS – The No. 5 Austin Gamblers made league history during the Semifinals of the 2024 PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Teams Championship, to upset No. 1 Kansas City Outlaws by one ride score and 75.25 points, 432.75-357.5. The game began in fast fashion. Austin struck in the top of the first, jumping to an 87.5-point lead as Kaique Pacheco went the distance atop Bueno. Kansas City was quick to respond. In the bottom of the frame, the Outlaws inched within 0.5 points of the lead as Koltin Hevalow conquered Bangarang for 87 points. As the second got underway, Austin’s momentum continued to roll. Ramon de Lima bested Bandito Bug for 78.25 points, electing to keep the score despite being offered a re-ride, growing the Gamblers’ lead to 78.25 points.
Their lead, however, was short-lived. The Outlaws surpassed their opponents by 10 points compliments of a clutch 88.75-point ride from Maikon Calixto Rocha on The Kraken. The riding battle continued in the third. Austin retook the lead in the top of the third by 77.75 points. Gambler Lucas Divino delivered the go-ahead score, covering Margin of Error for 87.75 points. Kansas City then became the first team to stumble. To conclude the frame, the Outlaws earned no score in their third out as Sandro Batista was deemed to have slapped Flapjack at the 7.16-second mark. Austin poured the pressure on Kansas City in the top of the fourth. The Gamblers forced the Outlaws into a must-ride position when Dalton Kasel covered Baldy for a monstrous 90.25 points.
Via the score, Austin’s lead forced Kansas City into a must-ride position, trailing by two ride scores and 168 points with just two riders remaining. Kansas City answered with a mammoth score of its own. Brennon Eldred dominated Magic Hunter for 90.5 points to more than halve Austin’s lead to 77.5 points. The game then came down to the final frame. To begin the last round of outs, Austin had the chance to clinch the game win early as two-time PBR World Champion and two-time PBR Teams MVP Jose Vitor Leme settled in atop Feeds Red River. Leme punctuated the Gamblers’ first-ever perfect game and punched their ticket to the Championship Game for the second consecutive season as he covered his bovine athlete opponent with ease for 89 points.
With the result of the game already determined, Kansas City concluded the game in positive form. Reigning PBR World Champion Cassio Dias logged the team’s second 90-point ride of the game, riding Mike’s Motive for 91.25 points. When the dust settled, Austin won by 75.25 points, beating Kansas City and sending them to the Third-Place Game, 432.75-357.5.
No. 2 Carolina Cowboys Advance to Championship Game of the 2024 PBR Teams Championship One Ride Score Victory Against the No. 3 Florida Freedom
Florida Freedom: 90.75
Carolina Cowboys: 178.25
LAS VEGAS – The No. 2 Carolina Cowboys earned the team’s first berth to the league’s Championship Game Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas, knocking off the No. 3 Florida Freedom by one ride score in the Semifinals of the 2024 PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Teams Championship. PBR’s animal athletes dominated the first frame, with both Florida and Carolina remaining scoreless entering the second following buckoffs from Alex Cerqueira and Derek Kolbaba, respectively. Florida continued to stumble in the second.
To begin the frame, Joao Lucas Campos was tossed by Hunter in 2.93 seconds. Carolina, however, finally broke through in the very next out. The Cowboys jumped to a quick 88.5-point lead as 2016 PBR World Champion Cooper Davis dominated Constant Payne for 88.5 points. The bovine athletes of the PBR again stole the show in the third, besting Yan Victor Cunha for Florida and Adriano Salgado for Carolina. Florida remained shut out in the fourth, beginning the penultimate round of outs with a 5.31-second buckoff from Thiago Salgado on UTZ BesTex Smokestack. Via the buckoff, Carolina had the chance to clinch the game win early in the bottom of the frame, pulling two ride scores ahead with just one Freedom rider remaining. The possible game-winning out featured 2022 PBR World Champion Daylon Swearingen on Ugly This. Bursting from the chutes, Swearingen remained in perfect time with the powerful animal athlete, besting him jump-for-jump en route to the requisite 8. The Carolina Cowboys immediately began to celebrate their team’s first berth to the Championship Game as Swearingen’s 89.75-point score was announced inside an electric T-Mobile Arena.
Despite its fate being determined, next set to compete in the Third-Place Game, Florida prevented a shutout loss courtesy of a monster 90.75-point ride from closer and 2024 PBR Teams MVP John Crimber on Renegade. Compliments of clinching the game win early, Carolina substituted Ethan Winckler for closer Sage Steele Kimzey on Ricky Vaughn. The 18-year-old nodded with confidence but was launched in 2.96 seconds. The final scoreboard read an 87.5-point Carolina Cowboys victory, beating the Florida Freedom 178.25-90.75.
No. 2 Kansas City Outlaws Win Third-Place Game, Beating the No. 3 Florida Freedom by One Bull, on Final Day of the 2024 PBR Camping World Teams Championship
Florida Freedom: 89.25
Kansas City Outlaws: 176.25
LAS VEGAS – The No. 2 Kansas City Outlaws concluded their 2024 season by winning the Third-Place Game for the 2024 PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Teams Championship, besting the No. 3 Florida Freedom by 87 points, 176.25-89.25. As the Third-Place game got underway, Florida stumbled in the top of the first when Alex Cerqueira was tossed in 4.55 seconds by Big Bank. Kansas City, however, began the game with a bang, jumping to an 88-point lead as Koltin Hevalow made the whistle on Riser. The Freedom continued to backslide in the second. This time, Joao Henrique Lucas was tossed in 7.63 seconds by Cash on Black. The Outlaws remained red hot, growing their lead to 176.25 points in the bottom of the second as Heitor Santos Ferreira bested Let’s Roll for 88.25 points.
Following a Florida buckoff to open the third, as Yan Victor Cunha was upended by Dark Thoughts in 5.36 seconds, Kansas City had the chance to clinch the game win early in the bottom of the frame. Should Brennon Eldred ride Blue Suede Shoes, Kansas City would grow its lead to three ride scores with just two Florida riders remaining. Bursting from the chutes, Eldred appeared poised to deliver for Kansas City, but was whipped down in 6.28 seconds, opening the door for Florida to win in come-from-behind form. To begin the fourth, Florida faced a must-ride position as Caden Bunch settled in aboard Chateau Montelena’s Montana Jacket. Bunch nodded with confidence but proved no match for the powerful animal athlete, brought down in 3.3 seconds to deliver the game win for Kansas City.
To conclude the fourth, Kansas City earned a re-ride. Florida prevented a scoreless loss, concluding their season with an 89.25-point ride from 2024 PBR Teams MVP John Crimber on Peterbilt. Crimber went 4-for-4 on the weekend to also be named the PBR Teams Championship Event MVP. The game then ended with consecutive outs for the Outlaws, but both Carlos Andre de Oliveira and Marcus Mast proved no match for their bovine athlete counterparts, bested prior to the whistle. When the dust settled, Kansas City won by 87 points, 176.25-89.25, concluding the tournament third, and while Florida finished fourth.
No. 5 Austin Gamblers Upset No. 2 Carolina Cowboys by Two Ride Scores to Win 2024 PBR Teams World Championship
Austin Gamblers: 357.5
Carolina Cowboys: 252.5
LAS VEGAS – In the final game of the 2024 season, the No. 5 Austin Gamblers capped a torrid day in which they went 9-for-10, upsetting the No. 2 Carolina Cowboys by two ride scores and 105 points, 357.5-252.5, to be crowned the 2024 PBR Teams Champions. Austin, which had also competed in the Championship Game in 2023, began the game with vigor. In the top of the first, Kaique Pacheco gave the team a quick 88-point lead as he rode Ah Hell with ease. Carolina, however, was quick to respond. Cooper Davis put the Cowboys ahead by a slim 0.75 points, going the distance on Down Payment for 88.75 points.
The second began with the second consecutive score from the Gamblers. Lucas Divino put the Michael Gaffney-led outfit back in front by 87.75 points courtesy of his 8-second effort with Big Chew. While the Gamblers would remain in control of the game by frame’s end, Carolina closed within 0.25 points of the lead as its second man, Derek Kolbaba, covered Watch Out for 87.5 points. The top of the third bore the first stumble for Austin. Ramon de Lima was whipped down in 5.29 seconds by Army Slasher, opening the door for Carolina to overtake the lead.
Wasting no time to reassert their dominance that was on full display for the entire regular season, the Cowboys reclaimed the lead by 76 points following a 76.25-point score from Adriano Salgado on Wingman. While Carolina was awarded the option of the re-ride, Davis, with his General Manager Austin Dillon watching on just steps away, elected to keep the score. Needing a score, Austin then turned to Dalton Kasel in the top of the fourth, matched with Always Been Crazy. In what proved to be a perfect pairing, Kasel fought his way to the whistle as the powerful animal athlete gave it his all. As Kasel and the entire Gamblers roster celebrated, his monster 92-point score was announced inside T-Mobile Arena, catapulting Austin to the lead by 16 points. Carolina was hopeful 2022 PBR World Champion Daylon Swearingen would be able to continue their momentum, but he proved no match for Canadian-born Norse God, whipped to the ground after just 4.64 seconds.
Via the buckoff, Austin had the chance to clinch the game win early in the top of the fifth with a score of 84.25 points or more. In the possible Championship-clinching moment was two-time PBR World Champion and two-time PBR Teams MVP Jose Vitor Leme, paired with Tijuana Two-Step. Bursting from the chutes, Leme remained centered, matching the bovine athlete jump-for-jump all the way to the 8. Immediately celebrating, Leme was marked 89 points, clinching the 2024 PBR Teams Championship for the Austin Gamblers, the team’s first. While Carolina hoped it could conclude the season with a qualified ride, Manaba got the better of Sage Steele Kimzey at the 7.19-second mark. At game’s end, the Austin Gamblers claimed the coveted title by 105 points, winning the Championship Game, 357.5-252.5.
Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media