Sept. 24, 2010
AUBURN, Ala. - The Auburn equestrian team opened its season defeating Kansas State 14-4 on Thursday and South Dakota State 15-4 on Friday at the Auburn University Horse Center.
"We are very proud of the effort the Auburn girls have turned in on these early meets," said head coach Greg Williams.
The Tigers won all four events and took all four MVPs against the Wildcats Thursday. Auburn started strong, taking equitation over fences 4-0 led by MVP Maggie McAlary, who defeated Sarah Mershon 86-80. Ali Loprete defeated Jennifer Rawle 81-75, Jennifer Waxman defeated Kali Yates 78-72 and Anna Schierholz defeated Catherine Avolese 80-74.
Auburn won horsemanship 4-1 behind MVP Stephanie Rucci, who defeated Whitney Unkefer 73-71.5. Other Tiger winners include Bailey Dymond over Hannah Ribera 73-72, Indy Roper over Chayna DeNicolo 74-71 and Kristin Hansen over Rachel Wetherell 71-67.5.
MVP Lindsay Portela led the Tigers to a 3-2 victory in equitation on the flat, defeating Meredith Finch 77-76. Other Auburn winners include Maggie McAlary over Rachel Webster 71-58 and Anna Becker over Jaquelyn Bogstad 65-61.
Auburn took reining 3-1 behind MVP Indy Roper, who downed Sam Etsell 71.5-68.5. Paige Monfore defeated Jordan Cox 69.5-65.5 and Kelsey George defeated Emily Stockford 64.5-64.
Friday, the Tigers continued their winning ways with a 10-0 hunt seat sweep of the Jackrabbits.
Led by MVP Dottie Grubb, who defeated Ashley Marrin 78-67, Auburn swept equitation on the flat. Other Tiger winners include Piper Donnelly over Meghan Schiffman 78-73, Mallory Kolpin over Lauren Kerr 76-69, Lindsay Portela over Victoria Pecak 70-69 and Maggie McAlary over Meredith Sauer,81-73.
Auburn won horsemanship 3-2 behind MVP Casey Fowler, despite her losing to Kelsey Champagne 69.5-72.5. Tiger winners include Chelsea Zillner over Amy Mandelk 73-68.5, Mary Casey over Lydia Placzek 71.5-70 and Bailey Dymond over Maggie Holzworth 71.5-68.
Auburn hunt seat riders again swept the Jackrabbits, winning equitation over fences behind MVP Jennifer Waxman, who defeated Megan Violand 87-60. Other Tiger winners include Lindsay Portela over Victoria Pecak 71-70, Anna Becker over Meredith Sauer 79-68, Coryn Bergenty over Leslie Sauter 73-37 and Grace Socha over Ashley Marrin 84-68.
Auburn finished the day with a 2-2 tie in reining. Auburn winners include Kristin Hansen over Angela Gebhart 71.5-71 and Indy Roper over Jana Basler 71.5-67.
"Having seven out of eight MVPs with our wins was quite an honor for our team," Williams said. "We can now set our sights on our first SEC opponent."
The Tigers travel to Blythewood, S.C. for a match-up with SEC rival South Carolina Friday at 1 p.m.