By Ryne Rickman, UT Martin Sports Information Director
FELTON, Del. – Competing for the second time in as many days, the No. 10 ranked University of Tennessee at Martin equestrian squad dialed up its first road victory of the season with a 13-7 win at Delaware State.
With the victory, the Skyhawks run their season record to 2-1 overall and 2-0 in Eastern College Athletic Conference play.
UT Martin accounted for both MOP’s in the Western discipline as the sophomore duo of Kate Davis (75 points in horsemanship) and Aubrey Malone (73.5 points in reining) claimed top honors.
It was a complete team victory as the Skyhawks won each event of the meet. UT Martin took four out of five points in fences and won by 3-2 margins in flat, horsemanship and reining.
Sydney Hott paced the Skyhawks in fences, churning out a team-high 84 points to more than double up her head-to-head competitor. Elizabeth Becker collected 82 points on her way to a victory while Julia Gilman secured her team-best third win of the season after a 78-point performance. Haley Kane gave UT Martin its fourth victory of the event with a score of 75. Tyler Anderson (41 points) also took part in the Skyhawk lineup.
UT Martin managed three career-high scores in flat, paced by a 93-point winning effort out of Kane. Hott’s 91 points were also good enough for a six-point victory while Rileigh Weiss earned a win after accumulated a career-high 90 points in her season debut. Gilman registered 88 points while Bridget Vieau amassed a career-best 82 to round out the Skyhawk lineup.
In horsemanship, Davis’ MOP effort set the tone for UT Martin. Keely Seiter’s score wasn’t too far behind as the senior out of Kansas City, Mo. managed 74.5 points in a head-to-head win. Making her season debut in horsemanship was Lexi Bailey, who responded with a victory following a 73-point ride. Paige Benson (74.5 points) and Emma Schaefer (73) nearly came away with wins but ultimately both Skyhawks fell by 0.5 points to their head-to-head competitor.
Malone’s MOP performance guided UT Martin during the reining portion of the meet. Davis (70.5 points) and Logan Putvinski (67.5 points) each completed their second win in as many days. Bailey managed 68 points while Marci Leath (no score) also made her collegiate debut for the Skyhawks today.
UT Martin completes its season-long three-meet road swing on Saturday, Oct. 22 when it heads to No. 5 Auburn for an 11 a.m. matchup.
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information