By Ryne Rickman, UT Martin Sports Information Director
DANBURY, Conn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin equestrian program was well-represented during today’s announcement of the Eastern College Athletic Conference Riders of the Week award as Kate Davis (horsemanship) and Logan Putvinski (reining) were each spotlighted.
This marks the second straight week that Davis has won ECAC Horsemanship Rider of the Week accolades and third time she has received this award in her young career (also winning on Oct. 19, 2021). This also marks the second career ECAC Reining Rider of the Week honor for Putvinski, who was also recognized on Nov. 16, 2021. As a whole, the Skyhawks can now boast three different riders (Sydney Hott, Davis, Putvinski) who have combined to win five ECAC weekly awards in 2022-23.
Davis posted a horsemanship win last Saturday at No. 6 Auburn, securing 73.5 points aboard Cole for a head-to-head victory over Alexia Tordoff. That performance was the team-best second win of the season for the sophomore out of Williamston, Mich., continuing a great start to the season. She also claimed a victory with 75 points at Delaware State on Oct. 14 and set a career-high score of 75.5 points in the season opener against No. 1 TCU, boasting a 74.7 scoring average.
For her career, Davis has garnered 15 total victories and five MOP’s, including seven triumphs and a pair of MOP honors in horsemanship.
A sophomore from Knoxville, Tenn., Putvinski also excelled against No. 6 Auburn last Saturday – extending her perfect start to the 2022-23 campaign. She improved her reining season record to 3-0 after an MOP effort of 70 points – edging Olivia Marino for the head-to-head win. She now owns a 69.5 scoring average with additional wins over No. 1 TCU (season-high 71 points) and Delaware State (67.5 points) on her early season resume.
Putvinski has dialed up 10 career victories and three MOP’s in reining during her blossoming UT Martin career.
Ranked in the National Collegiate Equestrian Association for all five weeks so far this season, the Skyhawks continue a busy stretch this weekend. UT Martin will host a pair of home meets against No. 7 South Carolina and Lynchburg on Friday, Oct. 28 and Saturday, Oct. 29, respectively. Both matchups will start at 10 a.m. at the Ned McWherter Agricultural Pavilion.
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information