When the dust settled in Bismarck, North Dakota, for the inaugural preseason event for the groundbreaking PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series – a new league of eight bull riding teams from across the country competing for a national championship – the Oklahoma Freedom (1-1) finished fourth. After beating the Austin Gamblers 260-172 in their opening game, Oklahoma City’s first-ever professional bull riding team was not able to continue the momentum on the second day of competition, defeated by the Kansas City Outlaws 173.75-87.75. With first round draft pick Eli Vastbinder (Statesville, North Carolina) tapped to represent the Oklahoma Freedom in the bonus round, he was unable to find success, bested by Pookie Holler (Dakota Rodeo/Brian & Ashley Pintar/Clay Struve/Chad Berger) in 5.3 seconds, positioning him third amongst the eight competing riders.