FORT WORTH, Texas – It’s only right that two of the first three picks from the 2024 PBR Teams New Rider Draft tied for the opening rounds honors less than two weeks before the Austin Gamblers welcome all 10 teams to town for the 2025 iteration of the talent-welcoming spectacle.

No. 3 John Crimber (who was selected No. 1 overall by the Florida Freedom and went on to secure the 2024 PBR Teams MVP honors) and No. 24 Hudson Bolton (who was selected No. 3 overall by the New York Mavericks) ended the opening night of 2025 PBR World Finals: Unleash The Beast – Eliminations action atop the shark cage with fellow youngster No. 14-ranked man and Nashville Stampede star Kaiden Loud as the trio of young riders produced matching 88-point marks.

RELATED: John Crimber selected by the Florida Freedom with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 PBR Teams New Rider Draft

While the shared victory represented Bolton’s first-ever session-topping feat, which doubled as his overall World Finals debut, it ultimately gives him a bit of a leg up in his 2025 PBR Rookie of the Year race as he looks to chase down both Elizmar Jeremias and Anderson de Oliveira in the first-year standings.

But for a gold buckle-hunting talent like Crimber, the early points and electric momentum could be positioning the red, white and blue-fueled superstar for an epic run.

Despite coming into the Cowtown Coliseum-hosted showdown involved in a scenario similar to last year’s showdown, several hundred points back of the circuit’s No. 1-ranked man, the Decatur, Texas, native is staying loose in his home state this time around.

“Yeah, it’s a lot different I think. I’m having a lot more fun than I was last year and I think I just put too much pressure on myself last year,” Crimber shared with Kate Harrison via The Cowboy Channel broadcast.

“It was sort of a learning moment for me and I learned that it’s not over until it’s over and until that last bull is bucked at World Finals next week. So, I’m just going to go bull for bull, day for day, and let ‘em hang every single time.”

Competing as the third-to-last man on the night, he knew he’d need to take care of business before knowing what either No. 1 Dalton Kasel or No. 2 Brady Fielder were bringing to the table.

And take care of business he did, going the distance atop Spunky Energy for an ever-important 88 points.

Between remembering Crimber teamed up with Big Bank for a World Finals scoreboard-topping 95 points in 2024 and reflecting on the idea he finished second overall at last season’s Eliminations showcase suggests he’s very well already applied some pressure to the two men he’s chasing down.

The Florida Freedom stud entered the opening round 483 UTB points back of Kasel, who bucked off his Round 1 opponent Good Riddance.

But after splitting the opening round honors en route to securing a sound 60 points Thursday, the 19-year-old phenom now trails the tour’s top dawg by just 423 points ahead of Friday’s second session.

All while remaining just 297 points back from No. 2 Fielder, who suffered quite the close call after touching the dirt at the 7.93-second mark.

RELATED: No. 3 John Crimber ties for Round 1 win on a sold-out opening night of the PBR World Finals: Unleash The Beast – Eliminations to gain ground in the race for the World Championship

But if you ask him, things are out of his hands. He’s just here enjoying the ride.

Each and every one of them.

“I don’t think it’s me. Every time I’m feeling down, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ picks me back up and carries me. He carries my cross with his, so I just have to thank him for everything. It’s going to be a fun week, for sure,” Crimber offered dirtside following the win.

“These are (two) of my best friends, and to win Round 1 of the World Finals with them, riding together, growing up together, it means a lot to me. It’s really fun with them being around here with me.”

After going 29-for-54 (53.7%) during regulation competition, he began his postseason slate with an electric 1-for-1 start. Exactly what a kid like Crimber needs if he wants to continue chipping away, one ride at a time.

The biggest key ahead of his destined arrival inside AT&T Stadium revolves around him capturing the aggregate over the course of these next three days, as a 200-point boost, plus any other round or ride-related bonuses along the run, would go a long way in truly getting him within striking range.

Yet, knowing 400 points are available to the eventual Championship aggregate victor exiting Jerry World reinstates Crimber’s admitted realization earlier in the evening.

It’s not over until the very last bulls are bucked!

Set to keep dancing in Round 2 during his matchup with Walk Hard, will Crimber be able to capitalize on his opening session momentum and continue his pursuit of the Jerome Robinson Cup?

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Photo courtesy of Bull Stock Media