April 18, 2018
WACO, Texas ââ'¬" The No. 2 Auburn equestrian team kicked off the 2018 NCEA Championship Wednesday, April 18, in Waco at the Extraco Events Center. The Tigers had three events competing in the event-only championship part of the week and all three advanced to the quarterfinals.
"The team rode very good today," head coach Greg Williams said. "It was a good time to get some rides under our belt before we start competing for the team title tomorrow. We also loved having some of the new schools here on site and providing the opportunity to continue to grow the sport."
The Reining corps had a successful showing against Minnesota Crookston, going 4-0 over the Eagles. Freshman Deanna Green opened the event with a 139-135 victory, while junior Blair McFarlin followed with an event-high 146 in her win over Madeline Drayna. Senior Alexa Rivard was awarded a 142 in her victory to up her season total to nine. Freshman Terri-June Granger capped the event with a 143 and moved into first on the team with 10 victories on the season.
In Equitation on the Flat, the Tigers put together another sweep of the Eagles, 4-0. Junior Hayley Iannotti upped her win total in 2017-18 to 13 with a 159-148 win over Selena Young. Classmate Ashton Alexander kicked off the event with an impressive 163-127 victory and was followed by 160 points from junior Caitlin Boyle. The win gave Boyle her 12th on the year. Freshman Taylor St. Jacques finished with a team-leading 168 points in her victory.
The Hunt Seat corps also topped UMC with a 3-1 win in Equitation Over Fences. Boyle's 179 points in her victory led all student-athletes on the day, while St. Jacques followed with 175. Alexander finished with a 172-132 win over Young.
Both Flat and Fences crew advanced to the quarterfinals of their respective bracket and will both take on South Carolina. The Reining corps will face Baylor, while Horsemanship will take on SMU. The Tiger Horsemanship squad received a bye in the first round.
No. 2 seed Auburn will take on No. 7 Baylor in the overall team competition Thursday, starting at 8:30 a.m. CT. The event competition resumes Friday at 8:30 a.m. CT. All matches are held in the Extraco Events Center in Waco.
#2 AUBURN 4, #15 MINNESOTA CROOKSTON 0
Equitation on the Flat
Ashton Alexander (AU) def. Megan Motter (UMC), 163-127
Caitlin Boyle (AU) def. Monika Frame (UMC), 160-147
Taylor St. Jacques (AU) def. Mazie Pini (UMC), 168-146
Hayley Iannotti (AU) def. Selena Young (UMC), 159-148
#3 AUBURN 3, #14 MINNESOTA CROOKSON 1
Equitation Over Fences
Mazie Pini (UMC) def. Hayley Iannotti (AU), 162-158
Ashton Alexander (AU) def. Selena Young (UMC), 172-132
Caitlin Boyle (AU) def. Monika Frame (UMC), 179-114
Taylor St. Jacques (AU) def. Rachel Johnson (UMC), 175-137
#3 AUBURN 4, #14 MINNESOTA CROOKSTON 0
Reining
Deanna Green (AU) def. Whitney Fenna (UMC), 139-135
Blair McFarlin (AU) def. Madeline Drayna (UMC), 146-138
Alexa Rivard (AU) def. Katelynn Robertson (UMC), 142-136.5
Terri-June Granger (AU) def. Katie Warner (UMC), 143-134.5
* - Denotes Most Outstanding Performer
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