AUBURN, Ala. – Junior Ava Stearns of the No. 1 Auburn equestrian team was named the National Collegiate Equestrian Association's (NCEA) Fences Rider of the Month for her performances in October, the organization announced Wednesday.
The honor is the first of the season for Stearns and the second of her career.
The Chilmark, Massachusetts product wen 6-0-0 overall in October, securing three Most Outstanding Performer awards. She averaged 86.3 points over six meets, including a pair of scores in the 90s.
Stearns opened the season with a career-high 91 in her win over No. 2 Georgia (Oct. 8). She followed with a 90 on the road at No. 4 Oklahoma State (Oct. 15). With those two rides, she earned back-to-back MOP honors for the Tigers. Stearns closed out the team's first road trip with an 83-77 victory at No. 3 SMU (Oct. 16).
Stearns and the Tigers returned to the Plains for a pair of meets, Oct. 22-23, where she helped the squad sweep both Lynchburg and No. 7 Fresno State in the event. After besting her Lynchburg opponent by 14 points (84-70), she scored 88 points in her win against the Bulldogs the following day.
Her final MOP of the month came against another Southeastern Conference foe as Stearns edged her No. 9 South Carolina opponent with 85 points (Oct. 29).
Stearns named NCEA Fences Rider of the Month
