AUBURN, Ala. – Twelve student-athletes on the No. 1 Auburn equestrian team totaled a record 19 National Collegiate Equestrian Association Ariat All-America honors, the NCEA selection committee announced Wednesday.
The 19 All-America honors is a new record in the NCEA for any team since the organization began the recognition in 2011. The previous mark was 10 set by Auburn in 2016 and Georgia in 2012.
"I'm extremely proud of this group of student-athletes," head coach Greg Williams said. "When everyone looks at the talent of these All-Americans, I wish they could also see their work ethic and that of their teammates that keeps driving Auburn to new heights. Coaches Mary Meneely and Jessica Braswell, as well as our athletic trainer Karen Straub-Stanton and the strength and conditioning staff all deserve much of the credit. This team really is the complete package."
All six of Auburn's Hunter Seat competitors garnered All-America recognition in both Equitation Over Fences and Equitation on the Flat.
Freshman McKayla Langmeier led the squad with a pair of first team honors. The East Granby, Conn., product stands at 21-2-0 overall between the two events, including a 12-0-0 record in Flat with two MOPs. In addition to her 9-2-0 mark in Fences, Langmeier never scored below an 80 in the regular season between Flat and Fences.
Sophomore Taylor St. Jacques and senior Caitlin Boyle also earned first team recognition. St. Jacques was honored for her efforts in Flat, having seven MOPs on the season so far and a 9-0-1 record. She also earned honorable mention in Fences with a 9-3-0 record.
Boyle was first team in Fences with an 11-2-1 record and five MOPs on the year. She was also placed on the SEC All-Championship team in the event, helping the Tigers capture their second conference crown in four years. In addition, Boyle set a new Auburn program record in career wins at the conference meet last weekend. The Hampshire, Ill., product picked up honorable mention recognition in Flat.
Senior Hayley Iannotti picked up a pair of second team honors, having 10 wins in each event. Classmate Ashton Alexander was placed on Flat second team and earned honorable mention in Fences. The Ocala, Fla., native leads all Tigers with 23 victories on the year and was placed on the SEC All-Championship team for her efforts in Flat.
Freshman Emma Kurtz also has had an outstanding first year on the Plains and was placed on the Fences second team and Flat honorable mention. The Hudson, Ohio, product is 16-3-0 overall on the year with eight wins in each event.
Four Tigers picked up All-America recognition in Horsemanship with senior Lauren Diaz and sophomore Taylor Searles leading the way on the first team. Diaz is 13-2-0 overall in the event with a team-leading seven MOPs. The Heath, Ohio, native broke the program's career wins record in the event earlier this spring and scored a 75 or higher six times during the regular season.
Searles holds a 12-1-1 mark in Horsemanship with two MOPs under her belt. She also set a career high in back-to-back meets in February, scoring a pair of 77s. The Scottsdale, Ariz., product is currently enjoying a 12-meet unbeaten streak.
Senior Kelsey Jung earned her second-consecutive recognition, securing a spot on the second team. The Farmington, Utah, product is 11-3-1 on the year for the Tigers with one MOP.
Sophomore Deanna Green picked up All-America honors in both Horsemanship and Reining for the Tigers, becoming the first Auburn rider to have national recognition in both Western events since Indy Roper (2009-13) did it 2011 and 2012. Green was placed on the second team for Horsemanship for the second-straight year, while also securing honorable mention in Reining.
Seniors Ali Fratessa and Blair McFarlin each earned All-America for their efforts in Reining this season. Fratessa was placed on the second team and has nine wins on the year with three MOPs. McFarlin picked up honorable mention and has eight victories for the Tigers with two MOPs this year.
The Tigers (15-0) are the top seed in the 2019 NCEA Championship, April 17-20, in Waco, Texas. Auburn is also the No. 1 seed in Flat, Fences and Horsemanship. The squad looks to defend its 2018 national championship as well as its 2018 Fences, Horsemanship, Hunt Seat and Western titles.