WACO, Texas – The No. 1 Auburn equestrian team's historical run came to an end Thursday at the 2021 NCEA Championships as the Tigers fell to No. 8 Baylor, 8-7, in the national quarterfinals.
"This is really tough," head coach Greg Williams said. "It's been a long time since we've lost. I have felt that this team has done everything it's supposed to do from the get-go. I'm extremely proud of the work the team and our coaching staff has done this year, but we just came up short today. Hats off to the way Baylor came in and brought it. They capitalized on any opening we gave them and that's the sign of a team that wants it."
The loss snapped a 42-meet winning streak that dated back to April of 2018. In addition, Auburn concluded the season with an 8-1 record.
Baylor (3-7) kicked off the meet with a 4-3 lead following Flat and Horsemanship.
The Tigers and the Bears battled to a 2-2 tie in Flat as Baylor picked up a point in the first match up. Senior Taylor St. Jacques followed with a 238-196 victory, setting the Auburn Flat career wins record in the process. She concluded her season with a 9-0-0 mark in the event and finished her career with 49 wins overall.
Junior McKayla Langmeier followed with a 223-185 win over Baylor's Madeline Vohries. The final point of the event went to the Bears.
Baylor finished with a 2-1-1 mark in Horsemanship. Auburn's lone point came from sophomore Olivia Tordoff, who topped Kacie Scharf with 217.5 points. Senior Deanna Green tied her opponent with a 229.
Fences and Reining each went 2-2-0 on the day. In Fences, St. Jacques edged Rachael Davis, 261-260, while junior Emma Kurtz put together a huge 270 for the point. With her win, St. Jacques finished undefeated at 9-0-0 in Fences.
Reining saw wins from seniors Terri-June Granger and Taylor Searles. Granger kicked off the event with a 211.5-208.5 victory, while Searles capped things off with a 206.5-202.5 win.
#8 BAYLOR 8, #1 AUBURN 7
Fences
Caroline Fuller (BU) def. Meghan Knapic (AU), 232-231
Taylor St. Jacques (AU) def. Rachael Davis (BU), 261-260
Emma Kurtz (AU) def. Gia Gulino (BU), 270-248
Savannah Hamby (BU) def. McKayla Langmeier (AU), 254-246
Flat
Gia Gulino (BU) def. Emma Kurtz (AU), 236-218
Taylor St. Jacques (AU) def. Caroline Fuller (BU), 238-196
McKayla Langmeier (AU) def. Madeline Vohries (BU), 223-185
Rachael Davis (BU) def. Ava Stearns (AU), 240-236
Horsemanship
Clara Johnson (BU) def. Taylor Searles (AU), 221-220
Deanna Green (AU) tied Katie Davis (BU), 229-229
Gabrielle Marty (BU) def. Maddie Spak (AU), 214-206
Olivia Tordoff (AU) def. Kacie Scharf (BU), 217.5-201
Reining
Terri-June Granger (AU) def. Maggie Cincotta (BU), 211.5-208.5
Madaline Callaway (BU) def. Deanna Green (AU), 218.5-214.5
Jenna Meimerstorf (BU) def. Boo Kammerer (AU), 220.5-217.5
Taylor Searles (AU) def. Daisy Kaufman (BU), 206.5-202.5
