GREEN BAY, Wis. – When the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Challenger Series bucked into Green Bay for the first time, Wisconsin fans were on the edge of their seats in the sold-out Resch Center as Alex Junior da Silva (Bom Jesus da Penha, Brazil) secured his first event win of the season, scoring the highest-marked ride of the night.

As the opening round in Green Bay began on Saturday night, the 33-year-old was paired with Bet Ya. Unfortunately for da Silva the animal athlete won this matchup, throwing him to the dirt after 4.72 seconds.

As the talented bulls of the PBR showcased their supreme agility throughout the championship round in Wisconsin, da Silva, seeking revenge when matched up with Pneu Dart’s Gold Standard, made the 8, scoring 85.5 points, being exactly what he needed to clinch the win.

For his evening and first-place finish, da Silva netted 108 Challenger points and is now sitting at No. 30 in the standings.

The PBR Challenger Series holds more than 60 events from May-October, culminating with its Championship in late October in Las Vegas. The PBR Challenger Series provides additional competitive opportunities for bull riders who are both affiliated and unaffiliated with a PBR Teams league team.

Fellow Brazilian Lauro Nunes Vieira (Agua Clara, Brazil) was hot on da Silva’s heels in front of the Badger State coming in at second place.

Vieira was paired with Frost Bite in Round 1, with the same outcome as his first-place companion, hitting the dirt early at 6.03 seconds.

He then set his sights on the championship round where, Black Squirrel was no match for him. The crowd roared as he rode until the buzzer, scoring 85 points.

Vieira collected 68 Challenger points for his efforts.

Casey Roberts (Munford, Alabama) left the Resch Center as the third-place man, first putting himself on the leaderboard in Round 1, after conquering Armageddon for an exciting 83.5-point ride and first-place finish in the round.

Looking ahead to the championship round, the 23-year-old was paired with All Talk. To the Wisconsin fans’ dismay, he hit the dirt early, after a mere 2.83 seconds.

Despite his championship-round buckoff, Roberts collected 64 Challenger points for his third-place finish.

Arizona native Jaxton Mortenson (Chino Valley, Arizona) began Saturday night in Green Bay with an exhilarating 81.5-point ride against American Made in Round 1, securing second place in the round.

Hoping to carry his momentum into the championship round against Right Mixture, he fell short, hitting the dirt after only 2.96 seconds.

Despite his championship-round buckoff, Mortenson left Titletown with 39 Challenger points.

Oklahoma man Matt Palmer (Chelsea, Oklahoma) rounded out the Top 5 of the one-night event in Green Bay.

With a less-than-ideal start to the evening after bucking off of Count Down in 5.27 seconds during Round 1, Palmer was ready for the championship round.

As Saturday night rolled to a close, he had high hopes as he made quick work of Workin’ Man, for a solid 81 points.

For his efforts, the cowboy received 34 Challenger points.

The talented bull riders of the PBR Challenger Series will next head to Charlottesville, Va. for PBR Charlottesville at the John Paul Jones Arena on Sept. 19.

Photo Courtesy of Andre Silva