By Ryne Rickman, UT Martin Sports Information Director
BROOKINGS, SD – The No. 10 ranked University of Tennessee at Martin equestrian squad turned in a complete team effort Friday at South Dakota State, winning its second consecutive meet with a 10-8 decision against the host Jackrabbits.
Freshman Kate Davis excelled in the Western discipline for the Skyhawks (2-2), nabbing a pair of MOP’s on the day. The Williamston, Mich. native nabbed her third MOP of the season (in four tries) in reining with a score of 69 points while her 73-point performance in horsemanship was good enough for her first career MOP in that event.
As a team, UT Martin earned at least two points in all four events for its most balanced scoring effort of the young 2021-22 season.
The Skyhawks nearly swept flat, securing four of the five points awarded. Tyler Anderson won her third straight decision behind a career-best 81 points while Kelby Kane (77.5 points), Mahalia Alascio (74.5) and Julia Gilman (66.5) additionally collected head-to-head victories. Kane’s and Gilman’s wins were their third of the season, tying Anderson for the team lead in that category. Haley Kane also tallied a solid score of 76.5 points but was edged out by a MOP performance by South Dakota State.
In fences, Kelby Kane’s 85 points was good enough for an 18-point victory as she continued her perfect season (four wins in four opportunities). Haley Kane managed a 78-point victory for her second win of the year while Gilman’s 82 points tied her head-to-head competitor. Anderson (72 points) and Elizabeth Becker (70) also represented UT Martin in the event.
Davis’ MOP ride in reining led the way for the Skyhawks as freshman Logan Putvinski also earned her first career victory with a career-best 67 points – winning by 13 points. Rachel Davis was awarded 62.5 points for a tie while Maggie Malone (68 points) and Brooke Bradley (64.5) were narrowly defeated by two points or less.
UT Martin notched individual victories in horsemanship behind Davis’ MOP and Keely Seiter’s second consecutive win with 68.5 points. Completing the scoring lineup was Katelyn Schultz (61 points), Paige Benson (61) and Lexi Bailey (55.5).
The Skyhawks return to the arena on Nov. 12-13 when they host No. 5 Texas A&M and Lynchburg on back-to-back days at the Ned McWherter Agricultural Pavilion.
Graphic Courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information