The Bachelorette star Becca Kufrin narrowed her field of bachelors to 18 suitors during Monday night's ABC broadcast of Season 14's second episode.
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After going on two group dates and one one-on-one date during the season's first round of dates, Becca cut three bachelors at the Rose Ceremony: Alex Templeman, a 31-year-old construction manager from Atlanta, GA; Rickey Jasper, a 27-year-old IT consultant from San Diego, CA; and Trent Jespersen, a 28-year-old realtor from Naples, FL.
Alex appeared to take his elimination hard and was shown wiping away tears during his exit interview outside the mansion.
"I'm a little bummed. I was looking to fall in love," Alex said.
RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELORETTE' SEASON 14: MEET BECCA KUFRIN'S 28 BACHELORS! (PHOTOS)
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The Bachelorette's second Season 14 episode began with the season's first group date, which required the men to compete in an obstacle course challenge.
Eight bachelors went on the date with Becca: Clay Harbor, a 30-year-old professional football player from Chicago, IL; Nick Spetsas, a 27-year-old attorney from Orlando, FL; Chris Randone, a 30-year-old sales trainer from Orlando, FL; David Ravitz, a 25-year-old venture capitalist from Denver, CO; Jean Blanc, a 31-year-old colognoisseur from Pensacola, FL; Jordan Kimball, a 26-year-old male model from Crystal River, FL; Connor Obrochta, a 25-year-old fitness coach from St. Petersburg, FL; and Lincoln Adim, a 26-year-old account sales executive from Los Angeles, CA.
Lincoln won the obstacle course challenge, however some of the other bachelors suspected he cheated.
Later that night, Lincoln and Connor also clashed when Connor threw Lincoln's prize -- a framed photo of himself and Becca together -- into a pool after Lincoln had spent the night repeatedly reminding the other men about his win and showing off his prize.
Lincoln complained to Becca about Connor's behavior, and she discussed the issue with Connor but he convinced her the incident was an aberration and not reflective of his normal nature.
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At the end of the night, Jean Blanc received the group date's rose from Becca.
Blake Horstmann, a 28-year-old sales representative from Bailey, CO, then went on the season's first one-on-one date with Becca.
After a therapeutic demolition session in which they smashed reminders of Becca's prior relationship with The Bachelor star Arie Luyendyk Jr., the pair enjoyed a private dinner.
Blake received Becca's rose at the end of the date, which featured the two gushing about how close and connected they already felt. As they departed, Becca also grabbed Blake for a makeout session in an alley.
"I'm definitely getting some strong feelings for Blake. The more time I spend with him, the more smitten I am with him," she gushed. "Can't wipe this grin off my face!"
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"If Blake keeps giving me what he gave today, I can see him as my husband, as my partner, my equal, my teammate -- all of it."
RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' FRANCHISE COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER?? (PHOTOS)
Ten bachelors accompanied Becca on the episode's second group date, which featured the men competing in a dodgeball challenge and then enjoying an evening cocktail party with The Bachelorette star.
The ten men were Alex; Ricky; Trent; Garrett Yrigoyen, a 29-year-old medical sales representative from Reno, NV; John Graham, a 28-year-old software engineer from San Francisco, CA; Ryan Peterson, a 26-year-old banjoist from Manhattan Beach, CA; Christon Staples, a 31-year-old former Harlem Globetrotter from Los Angeles, CA; Leo Dottavio, a 31-year-old stuntman from Studio City, CA; Wills Reid, a 29-year-old graphic designer from Los Angeles, CA; and Colton Underwood, a 26-year-old former pro football player from Denver, CO who now runs a cystic fibrosis charity.
That meant two men -- Mike Renner, a 27-year-old sports analyst from Cincinnati, OH, and Jason Tartick, a 29-year-old senior corporate banker from Seattle, WA -- would not get to go on any of the week's dates with Becca.
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During the second group date's evening party, Colton decided to come clean with Becca and let her know he had dated Tia Booth -- Becca's friend and fellow former The Bachelor Season 22 bachelorette -- before coming on The Bachelorette to woo Becca.
"Prior to coming onto this, in January, I had a relationship with Tia," Colton told Becca.
"And I wanted to make sure to explain sort of that we had a weekend together -- had a good time. But, for me, the timing wasn't right to grow what was a spark into a flame. And if my feelings were strong enough, I wouldn't have came on this [for you]."
"And I think from what I know of you, we can build something awesome. We can have the time. Where as it wasn't there moving forward with her."
Becca didn't initially react well to the news.
"I'm not going to lie, I don't know how I feel about it. I mean, it makes me feel a little bit sick," she told Colton. "I mean, I'm very attracted to you, and I really like what our conversation was... and I think we have a lot in common, but it just -- it's a very tricky situation. And it just, it puts me in a very strange position."
"I mean, it's just a lot to take in right now... I just like need some time to think about it."
Wills received the group date's rose at the date's conclusion.
Afterward, Becca began to express doubts about whether her The Bachelorette journey would end in love.
"These guys all seem to genuine, but what else are they not telling me," she lamented.
"I'm really questioning everything. Like I feel at this point I should have so much hope and so many people, and the fact that I don't -- I'm fearful of not finding somebody at the end of this. Like going through all this again and not having it work out."
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During the Rose Ceremony's cocktail ceremony, Jordan attempted to impress Becca by walking around the mansion wearing only his boxer shorts. He interrupted David's alone time with Becca to accomplish his stunt, which ruffled the feathers of the former Chicken Suit Guy.
"I'm disappointed -- I'm disappointed in him, I'm disappointed I didn't get to spend more time with Becca," he vented to Wills and Jason.
"Why is he here? That makes me question why -- why is he here?"
David later attempted to confront Jordan about his concerns, however the conversation didn't seem to accomplish much.
At the night's Rose Ceremony, Becca opted to give additional roses to Chris, Jason, John, Clay, Mike, Connor, Leo, David, Garrett, Nick, Ryan, Christon, Jordan, and Lincoln, Colton.
To read spoilers on who makes it to the end of Becca's The Bachelorette season and receives her final rose, click here.
RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELORETTE' COUPLES NOW: WHOM DID 'THE BACHELORETTE' STARS AND THEIR BACHELOR PICKS ULTIMATELY END UP WITH?! (PHOTOS)
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About The Author: Steven Rogers