STILLWATER, Okla. – It came down to the last ride between the No. 1 Auburn equestrian team and No. 4 Oklahoma State Friday and the Cowgirls took the win in the tightly contested meet, 10-9, at the Perdigo-Hall Equestrian Center in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
"Our team rode really well today and I don't think we need to make changes just because scores didn't fall our way," head coach Greg Williams said. "Road wins are particularly hard to achieve in this sport and today was one of those days. I'm so proud of our team and ready to get back to work tomorrow."
Auburn (1-1) started the meet strong with a 7-2 lead after Fences and Horsemanship but couldn't hold momentum as Oklahoma State (2-0) picked up eight wins between Reining and Flat to take the team victory.
The Tigers were led by strong performances in Fences as the group went 4-0-1 on the day. Junior Ava Stearns continued her trend of big scores, earning a 90 to top Emma Pacyna's 84. That score was good for another MOP on the season in the event for the Chilmark, Massachusetts product.
Freshman Sophee Steckbeck picked up the first win of her career as she bested her opponent, 87-78. Sophomore Ellie Ferrigno edged Sydney North, 88-87, and senior Meghan Knapic topped Sydnie Ziegler, 85-83. Senior Emma Kurtz put together a big ride and tied OSU's Abigail Brayman, 89-89.
Stearns remained undefeated on the year in Flat as well, scoring 80 points in her victory over Hannah Coleman and securing Auburn's lone point in the event.
Fifth-year senior Taylor Searles went undefeated on the day in Western competition. She bested Maddie Fussell in Horsemanship, 68.5-68, and finished with 64.5 points in her Reining win.
A pair of sophomores in Jacqueline Frimodt and Madison Parduhn scored points for the Tigers in Horsemanship. Frimodt earned the first win of her career, topping her opponent with a career-high 73. Parduhn edged Natalie Vargo, 75-74.5.
Auburn's road swing continues Saturday as the squad heads to Dallas to face No. 3 SMU. The Tigers and the Mustangs will face off at 10 a.m. CT.
#4 OKLAHOMA STATE 10, #1 AUBURN 9
FENCES
Ava Stearns (AU) def. Emma Pacyna (OSU), 90-84
Sophee Steckbeck (AU) def. Hope King (OSU), 87-78
Emma Kurtz (AU) tied Abigail Brayman (OSU), 89-89
Ellie Ferrigno (AU) def. Sydney North (OSU), 88-87
Meghan Knapic (AU) def. Sydnie Ziegler (OSU), 85-83
FLAT
Abigail Brayman (OSU) def. Ellie Ferrigno (AU), 82-71
Sydnie Ziegler (OSU) def. Helen Ulrich (AU), 79.5-77.5
Ava Stearns (AU) def. Hannah Coleman (OSU), 80-75
Katie Pelzel (OSU) def. Sophee Steckbeck (AU), 66-65
Hope King (OSU) def. Emma Kurtz (AU), 80-74
HORSEMANSHIP
Jacqueline Frimodt (AU) def. Lizzie Meerman (OSU), 73-66.5
Jojo Roberson (OSU) def. Maddie Spak (AU), 74.5-70
Madison Parduhn (AU) def. Natalie Vargo (OSU), 75-74.5
Taylor Searles (AU) def. Maddie Fussell (OSU), 68.5-68
Caroline Nielson (OSU) def. Olivia Tordoff (AU), 74-73
REINING
Molly Mitchell (OSU) def. Terri-June Granger (AU), 66-62.5
Taylor Searles (AU) def. Stephanie Gripp (OSU), 64.5-0
Hanna Lovrien (OSU) def. Boo Kammerer (AU), 68-67
Quincee Clark (OSU) def. Isabella Tesmer (AU), 71.5-68
Jojo Roberson (OSU) def. Olivia Marino (AU), 67.5-67