March 28, 2015
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COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The No. 6 Auburn equestrian team upset top-ranked South Carolina, 13-6, on Friday to finish third at the SEC Equestrian Championships at the Hildebrand Equine Complex. In the win, the Tigers won all four events and earned four MOP honors.
"Coming into this weekend, we felt like we were going to win," head coach Greg Williams said. "We had a mental breakdown in the second half yesterday, but it didn't change anyone's resolve. It didn't change the way we felt, and we did rebound today winning all four events against a great team and the No. 1 team in the country. I couldn't be more proud of them. Their expectations are to win now, and we are going to need that for Nationals. They are absolutely capable of winning Nationals and they know it."
Auburn jumped out to an early 3-2 lead after Equitation over Fences as sophomore Ashley Foster defeated Samantha Kraus, 168-136, before senior Demi Stiegler topped Amber Henter, 165-157.
Junior Elizabeth Benson broke the school's career wins record in the event with a 169-158 victory over Sydney Smith, while also earning MOP and All-SEC Championship Team honors. Benson holds 36 wins in Fences, breaking Jennifer Waxman's (2010-14) record of 35.
"It is very exciting to hold an Auburn record," Benson said. "Jen was a great teammate of mine and is a good friend. To meet this goal at the SEC Championships is very exciting. The pressure is on here, so it was great to get not only a team win, but winning the record as well."
The Tigers went into halftime with a 6-4 lead after winning Reining, 3-2. Junior Griffin Knight scored a 147 to defeat Kara Guertin's 123, and junior Hailey Munger beat Layla Choate, 144.5-0. Allie Dusha earned her second-consecutive MOP honor and sixth-straight victory, defeating Sarah Bouchard, 146.5-143.
In Horsemanship, Knight toppled Bailey Mierzejewski, 148-146.5, prior to senior Lucy Igoe defeating Megan Overberg, 143.5-127. Junior Hannah Loseke bettered Kelsey Urban, 145,134.5, and senior Katsy Leeman was named MOP following her 150.5-148.5 win over Samantha Chiodo.
Sophomore Tory Hoft clinched the win for the Tigers, defeating Katherine Schmidt, 160-157, in Equitation on the Flat. Foster topped Samantha Smith, 148-130, before Benson closed the match with a 165-154 win over Samantha Kraus, earning MOP honors. Benson's 165 ranks as the second-highest total in the event in SEC Championships history.
Auburn will return to action April 16-18 at the NCEA Championships in Waco, Texas.
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