Dual Discipline Results
Skyhawk equestrian to play for ECAC championship tomorrow after rolling to 14-6 semifinal victory for South Dakota State
BROOKINGS, S.D. – Sophomore Lexi Bailey corralled MOP’s in both Western discipline events today to help No. 1 seed University of Tennessee at Martin roll to a 14-6 triumph over fourth-seeded South Dakota State in the Eastern College Athletic Conference semifinals held at the DeHaan Equestrian Center.
Less than 24 hours after she was named as one of four members on the ECAC All-Horsemanship squad, Bailey showed out today with her second MOP of the season in horsemanship and her second MOP accolade for the 2022-23 campaign in reining.
Sydney Hott, who earned All-ECAC honors in both fences and flat herself last night, gave the Skyhawks their third MOP recipient of the meet as she nabbed top status in fences.
The UT Martin group of Bailey, Haley Kane, Julia Gilman, Emma Schaefer and Kate Davis all came away with two points apiece for the Skyhawks, who defeated the Jackrabbits for the third time this season today.
Coming into the day facing a deficit after the host South Dakota State won three of five decisions in flat on Thursday afternoon, UT Martin claimed 12 of the 15 points that were awarded today. Overall, the Skyhawks swept all five fences points, won four matchups in horsemanship, took three decisions in reining and won two matchups in flat.
In flat, Kane (64-67; 131 points) and Gilman (68-71; 139) provided UT Martin with an early 2-0 lead in the meet. However, the Jackrabbits rallied to win each of the final three points in the event. Sophia Sundem (55-42; 97), Rileigh Weiss (61-66; 127) and Hott (54-49; 103) also represented the Skyhawks in the flat lineup.
Fences was the first of three events on the docket today as UT Martin quickly reestablished momentum. Hott’s 164 points (82-82) was the best in the meet as she was followed by head-to-head victories by Gilman (161; 79-82), Kane (160; 80-80), Tyler Anderson (157; 76-81) and Elizabeth Becker (159; 81-78). Overall, the Skyhawks held an 801-593 advantage in fences raw score points.
South Dakota State pulled within three points (7-4) after winning the opening decision of horsemanship but that was as close as they would get the rest of the way as UT Martin closed out the event with four unanswered victories. Davis tallied 142.5 points (70.5-72) before Bailey’s MOP performance of 147 (74.5-72.5). Schaefer (71.5-72.5) and Keely Seiter (71-72.5) accumulated wins after scores of 144 and 143.5, respectively. Paige Benson was the fifth member of the Skyhawk horsemanship lineup as she managed a solid score of 143.5 (71-72.5).
Bailey’s MOP effort of 142.5 points (71-71.5) opened UT Martin’s scoring in reining. Schaefer continued her successful day with a 139 (70.5-68.5) victory while Davis’ 138 points (70-68) also emerged victorious. Additionally, Logan Putvinski (128; 64-64) and Aubrey Malone (131.5; 65-66.5) took part in the Skyhawks’ scoring lineup in reining.
Single Discipline Results
No. 1 Equestrian advances to ECAC championship
Rustburg, Va. -- The University of Lynchburg National Collegiate Equestrian team earned its spot in the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference championship with a win over Sacred Heart Friday.
The Hornets swept the flat competition on their way to an 8-2 victory over the Pioneers. Lucy Metzler led the way as the most outstanding performer on the flat with scores of 80 and 86 for a total of 166 while riding Chakira.
Sacred Heart opened the event with the first two points over fences. However, the Hornets took the next three points highlighted by a 154 (77-77) from Kelley McCormick.
Abby Zemp kicked off the flat with a 172 (88-84) on Carl. Fallyn Belcastro put up Lynchburg's biggest score on the flat with a 176 (88-88) on Jakson.
Emma Schweizer (84-83--167, Sven), McCormick (86-83--169, Ruffino), and Metzler wrapped up Lynchburg's sweep on the flat.
No. 2 NCEA Heads to ECAC Championship Meet with Win Over No. 3 Bridgewater
RUSTBURG, Va. – The No. 2-seed Sweet Briar College NCEA team (8-2, 7-1 ECAC) is headed back to the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Single Discipline Championships after taking down the No. 3-seed Bridgewater College Eagles 9-1 today at the Lynchburg Equestrian Center.
The Vixens began the meet by winning all five points in fence competition. Junior Emmy Longest (Hanover, Va.) kicked off the competition with a 166 on Phantom, beating Ellie Weinreb of Bridgewater by 16 points.
First-year Wyette Felton (Canton, Ga.) took down her Eagles competitor with a 155 on Coolie while fellow first-year Naomi Dachis (Franklin Lakes, N.J.) earned a six-point victory after scoring a 167 on Chakira.
Sophomore Isabelle Mesiarik (Pottstown, Pa.) earned Sweet Briar's fourth point of the meet with a 153 on Max.
Sophomore Katherine Atherton (Montpelier, Va.) wrapped up the fences portion of the meet with a 169 on Ruffino. Atherton's score was 14 points higher than Delaney Broderick of Bridgewater and earned the title of Most Outstanding Performer (MOP).
Both Atherton and Felton earned points for the Vixens in flat competition as well with Atherton earning her second MOP honors of the day with a 179 on Diego and Felton totaling a 148 on Feefee.
Senior Kacie Freeburg (Orlando, Fla.) earned 12 more points than her Eagles competitor with a 173 on Buddy. Sophomore Ella Peterson (Ashland, Va.) helped Sweet Briar reach its nine point total with a 173 on Caleb, earning 23 more points than Caroline Warren of Bridgewater.