Austin Gamblers Clinch Top Seed With Leme Record
The Austin Gamblers secured a top-three seed and a championship bye after Jose Vitor Leme set a new career milestone.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Rodeo
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The Austin Gamblers secured a top-three seed for the PBR Teams Championship by defeating the Oklahoma Wildcatters 90.55 to 89.10 in Kansas City. During the match, Jose Vitor Leme set a new record with his 95th career 90-point ride.
Why it matters
This victory grants the Austin Gamblers a crucial first-round bye for the upcoming PBR Teams Championship. The team's performance cements their position as a top contender heading into the postseason.
Jose Vitor Leme surpassed the previous record of 94 career 90-point rides, a mark that stood for 14 years. The Austin Gamblers finished their regular season with a record of 21-13.
The players
Jose Vitor Leme
He is a professional bull rider who has now secured three PBR Teams MVP awards throughout his career.
Austin Gamblers
This is a professional bull riding team that finished their regular season with a 21-13 record.
Oklahoma Wildcatters
This professional bull riding team competed against the Austin Gamblers in the recent Kansas City match.
Chris Shivers
He is a retired professional bull rider who previously held the record for the most 90-point rides in history.
Missouri Thunder
This professional bull riding team also secured a top-three seed alongside the Austin Gamblers.
The details
Leme achieved his record-setting score riding the bull Moonlight Graham, while Renan Almeida Alves provided the Oklahoma Wildcatters with an 89.10-point ride. This win makes the Austin Gamblers and the Missouri Thunder the first two teams to officially lock in top-three seeds.
Timeline
October 24, 2026: The Austin Gamblers defeated the Oklahoma Wildcatters in Kansas City.
November 6-8, 2026: The PBR Teams Championship takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Season Trajectory
By securing a top-three seed and a first-round bye, the Austin Gamblers significantly improve their path toward a potential title in Las Vegas. This victory maintains their standing as a primary force in the PBR Teams league as they head into the championship tournament.
The top-three seed guarantees the Austin Gamblers a first-round bye, reducing the total number of rides required to reach the championship final. Fans and fantasy participants should note that Leme's continued high-scoring output remains the central factor in the team's playoff viability.
The takeaway
Leme's record-breaking performance highlights the high level of individual consistency required to succeed in the team format. Tracking ride-score consistency remains the most reliable method for predicting team success in upcoming tournament brackets.
What happens next
The PBR Teams Championship is scheduled to take place Nov. 6-8 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Further reading
For more details on league standings and tournament formatting, visit the Rodeo section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KEYE.
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