Washington Native Wins PBR Tri-Cities Classic

KENNEWICK, Wash.--Fans packed the Toyota Center Saturday night for the conclusion of the first-ever Professional Bull Riders Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour event held in the Tri-Cities. It was fitting that the weekend's winner, Cody Casper, is a Washington native. Originally from Newport, Casper rode flawlessly--earning points during all three of his rides in front of the home-state crowd.

The 28-year-old was one of nine competitors to record a score in Round 1, covering Teddy Bear (Big Bend/Flying Five) for 80 points. He carried that momentum into the Second Round on Saturday--first by riding Supreme (H5 Bucking Bulls) for 58.5 points.The two scores set up a Championship Round showdown against Round 1 winner Alvaro Aguilar Alvarez.

Alvarez scored a qualifying time on top of Lil Bit Crazy (Clay Struve/Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger).

However, Casper was the last man to leave the chute--and the home-state hero would not be deterred. He climbed aboard Sitting Bull (Diamond Willow/Clay Struve/Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger).

The 87.5 point result was enough to earn Casper his sixth career PBR victory, and the glittering buckle of the Tri-Cities Classic. The win moved him up 36 positions in the world rankings. Now ranked No. 58, he's within 157 points of the Top 30, and a seeded position on the elite Unleash The Beast series.