MARTIN, Tenn. – The No. 1 Auburn equestrian team kicked off the 2018-19 season with a 15-4 victory over No. 10 UT Martin on the road at the Ned McWherter Agricultural Center.
"This was one of our better season openers from top to bottom," head coach Greg Williams said. "There were very few mistakes than what we normally see in the first meet of the year. I love that this team really took heart the importance on working on fundamentals and we feel good about that."
The Tigers swept the Most Outstanding Performers awards as a quartet of seniors shined during competition. Caitlin Boyle picked up honors in Equitation Over Fences, while Lauren Diaz was awarded MOP in Horsemanship. Blair McFarlin was the high scorer and MOP winner in Reining and Ashton Alexander earned the honor in Equitation on the Flat.
"The seniors rode extremely strong today," Williams said. "Every single one in the lineup today is somebody that can ride with anyone in the country. Not only do I like what they are doing in competition, but I really like how they are developing a great leadership style for this team."
Auburn went into intermission with a 7-2 lead over the Skyhawks after solid performances from Equitation Over Fences and Horsemanship.
Boyle kicked off the scoring in Fences with an 86-84 win over Kelby Kane and Alexander followed with a 10-point win vs. Randi LaChance. Competing in her first collegiate meet was freshman McKayla Langmeier and the East Granby, Conn., product bested her opponent, 81-65. Senior Hayley Iannotti capped the event with an 83-68 win over Monika Zoromski.
Senior Megan Rauh was a big scorer for the Tigers in Horsemanship, opening the event with 74 points in her win. Diaz rode to a 73.5-70.5 win over Devon Woods and senior Kelsey Jung earned the high score of the day with 75.5 points to top Tess Baumann's 70.5.
Following the break, the Reining corps came out hot and finished the Western side of competition with a 4-1 win over the Skyhawks.
McFarlin led all student-athletes with a 73.5 on her ride, besting her opponent's 66.5. Seniors Ali Fratessa and Betsy Brown followed with more wins for Auburn. Fratessa topped Hannah McDonald by a point, 69.5-68.5, while Brown's 65.5 was four better than her competition. Sophomore Terri-June Granger picked up where she left off last year, earning a 67-66 victory over Liana Nowak.
After dropping the first point, the Flat crew bounced back to take the final four match ups and win 4-1. Langmeier capped her successful first meet with an 80-66 win and Alexander followed with her MOP ride, scoring 86 points. Iannotti put together an 81-76 victory, while sophomore Taylor St. Jacques closed out the day with a 76-67 win over LaChance.
The Tigers return to the Auburn University Equestrian Center for a Southeastern Conference match up with No. 8 South Carolina, Sept. 28. The teams will go head-to-head at 3 p.m. CT and admission will be free.
#1 AUBURN 15, #10 UT MARTIN 4
Equitation Over Fences
Caitlin Boyle (AU)* def. Kelby Kane (UTM), 86-84
Ashton Alexander (AU) def. Randi LaChance (UTM), 82-72
Brooke Pfeiffer (UTM) def. Taylor St. Jacques (AU), 84-50
McKayla Langmeier (AU) def. Abbie Hopkins (UTM), 81-65
Hayley Iannotti (AU) def. Monika Zoromski (UTM), 83-68
Equitation on the Flat
Abbie Hopkins (UTM) def. Caitlin Boyle (AU), 85-83
McKayla Langmeier (AU) def. Quinn Reed (UTM), 80-66
Ashton Alexander (AU)* def. Kelby Kane (UTM), 86-75
Hayley Iannotti (AU) def. Monika Zoromski (UTM), 81-76
Taylor St. Jacques (AU) def. Randi LaChance (UTM), 76-67
Horsemanship
Megan Rauh (AU) def. Bailey Newlin (UTM), 74-70
Lucy Eier (UTM) def. Haley Pembroke (AU), 74-71.5
Kara Kaufmann (AU) tied McAuley Ross (UTM), 73.5-73.5
Lauren Diaz (AU)* def. Devon Woods (UTM), 73.5-70.5
Kelsey Jung (AU) def. Tess Baumann (UTM), 75.5-70.5
Reining
Blair McFarlin (AU)* def. Emily Zegistowsky (UTM), 73.5-66.5
Ali Fratessa (AU) def. Hannah McDonald (UTM), 69.5-68.5
Betsy Brown (AU) def. Sami Felts (UTM), 65.5-61.5
Terri-June Granger (AU) def. Liana Nowak (UTM), 67-66
Noel Meadows (UTM) def. Peyton Hall (AU), 67-65.5
