Triplett glad to be back at PBR World Finals

LAS VEGAS — Matt Triplett made a point to make it back for this year’s PBR World Finals.

The 26-year-old Columbia Falls bull rider missed the event last year, unable to make a late-season run into the top 35 of the world standings after undergoing early season shoulder surgery.

“Having to sit out last year and watch the finals, it was hard for me to do,” Triplett said. “I had to go there and do things for my sponsors and had to watch the whole thing. It really sucked. Now this year, going into it, I don’t have to watch. I’m going to be in the heat of things.”

Triplett enters the finals this season at No. 16, a return to the elite of the sport after last season’s plummet to 46. Triplett placed in the top 5 the two years prior before being riddled with injuries last season.

He has won five events this season, including once on the top circuit, but is still riding with from a torn labrum in his shoulder that will require surgery in the offseason. He hasn’t pointed a ride since August and sat out for nearly a month before getting bucked twice in less than three seconds two weeks ago in San Jose.

The PBR Finals start at 8 p.m. tonight with Round 1. All five rounds will be broadcast live on CBS Sports Network.

“I’m feeling pretty good,” Triplett said. “I’m just gonna try my best to keep my shoulder intact and then get surgery right after the finals.

“I’ve done more rehab and got it strengthened up. I’m just gonna have fun with it. Tape it up and hopefully it stays in place.”

Even the pain from his shoulder doesn’t equal having to sit the event out last year.

“That’s been a huge deal. I had to sit out last year,” Triplett said. “I’m not going to sit out this year. I’m going to let it all hang on the line.

“The doctors have a good tape job on it right now. If it gets to where I can’t deal with the pain, I’ll throw a cortisone shot in it and go from there.”

Volborg, Montana’s Jess Lockwood enters the Finals with a chance to win the world championship, currently sitting at No. 5 in the standings, just 467.5 points behind world leader Derek Kolbaba.

Lockwood, last season’s rookie of the year, finished fourth in this weekend’s Velocity Tour Finals and has been at or near the top of the standings all season.

FUN WITH FANS

Even while fighting his injury, Triplett has found time to have fun with his fans.

While competing in San Jose, one young fan found Triplett and got the surprise of his life.

“The little boy said he wanted to be me for Halloween,” Triplett said. “So, when he was down there, I brought him down to the dirt and got a picture with him, talked with him for a bit. That was pretty cool.

The fan, 4-year-old Zach Carillo, dressed in full gear for the event and got his vest signed by Triplett and two-time world champion J.B. Mauney.

“They have a heart of gold,” said Shari Neubauer, Zach’s grandmother and an ambassador with the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. “They give their heart and soul to their fans and to the next generation. It was awesome. (Zach) was in heaven.”

Earlier this season, Triplett won the Velocity Tour event in Big Sky and gave his buckle to a young fan.

“I enjoy it. It’s good to give back to the fans that support me. It’s good to let the young fans know more about our sport. Any way we can promote it and make it bigger it’s better for everybody.”