Can Jess Lockwood be the 1st rookie to win a PBR World Championship?
Can Jess Lockwood be the 1st rookie to win a PBR World Championship?
19-year-old Jess Lockwood has the opertunity to be the first rookie to win a PBR World Championship, but a slew of other young talented riders are standing in his way.
In the 22-season history of PBR, a rookie has never won the World Championship.
However, come this December 19-year-old Jess Lockwood may disprove that statement.
"I may watch 'SpongeBob (SquarePants)', but I am not that young," Lockwood said in an interview with PBR.com.
The Volborg, Montana, native certainly doesn't seem inexperienced when it comes to his point totals this year. Lockwood currently sits at fifth in the PBR standings.
The newcomer is already a lock for this year's Rookie of the Year award. In his 47 rides this year, he's collected just over 2,900 points.
Lockwood is taking inspiration from 2016's points leader and last season's Rookie of the Year, Kaique Pacheco. As a 21-year-old last year, Pacheco finished as the runner-up to J.B. Mauney in the final standings.
PBR's influx of young talent didn't stop with Pacheco last year either. Fellow rookie Cooper Davis finished first in last year's World Title event.
"Cooper won it last year and Kaique did so great, so that is proof rookies can win it potentially," Lockwood said. "Heck, I don't know. I just try to stay in the middle and let the rest fall into place. It has been working out so far this year and consistency is key, though. I have to get a little more consistent."
The rookie has already notched four first-place finishes this year, including his most recent win on the BlueDef Velocity Tour in July.
Lockwood is trailing Pacheco in first place by 1,600 points in the standings, but he still has a lot of time to cut the Brazilian's lead.
This season there are still almost 2,000 points up for grabs until December. At the World Finals event, there are 3,330 points on the table.
"If you ride every bull you get on in Vegas, you are going to win," Lockwood said. "All you have to do is stay in the middle of your bulls and just ride each bull you get on. Most of the time, if you are your bull, you are going to win."
However, come this December 19-year-old Jess Lockwood may disprove that statement.
"I may watch 'SpongeBob (SquarePants)', but I am not that young," Lockwood said in an interview with PBR.com.
The Volborg, Montana, native certainly doesn't seem inexperienced when it comes to his point totals this year. Lockwood currently sits at fifth in the PBR standings.
The newcomer is already a lock for this year's Rookie of the Year award. In his 47 rides this year, he's collected just over 2,900 points.
Lockwood is taking inspiration from 2016's points leader and last season's Rookie of the Year, Kaique Pacheco. As a 21-year-old last year, Pacheco finished as the runner-up to J.B. Mauney in the final standings.
PBR's influx of young talent didn't stop with Pacheco last year either. Fellow rookie Cooper Davis finished first in last year's World Title event.
"Cooper won it last year and Kaique did so great, so that is proof rookies can win it potentially," Lockwood said. "Heck, I don't know. I just try to stay in the middle and let the rest fall into place. It has been working out so far this year and consistency is key, though. I have to get a little more consistent."
The rookie has already notched four first-place finishes this year, including his most recent win on the BlueDef Velocity Tour in July.
Lockwood is trailing Pacheco in first place by 1,600 points in the standings, but he still has a lot of time to cut the Brazilian's lead.
This season there are still almost 2,000 points up for grabs until December. At the World Finals event, there are 3,330 points on the table.
"If you ride every bull you get on in Vegas, you are going to win," Lockwood said. "All you have to do is stay in the middle of your bulls and just ride each bull you get on. Most of the time, if you are your bull, you are going to win."