RANCHO MURIETA, Calif. – Despite a valiant effort throughout the meet, the University of Tennessee at Martin equestrian squad came up just short in its pursuit of the 2024 Eastern College Athletic Conference Championship, falling by a slim 13-7 margin to UC Davis.
Following today’s meet, a trio of Skyhawks collected All-ECAC Tournament accolades. Sydney Hott was named the ECAC Championship MOP in fences after going 2-0 with a MOP and an 83.0 scoring average while Sophia Sundem (2-0 record, 74.3 scoring average) and Emma Schaefer (2-0, one MOP, 75.4 scoring average) earned those honors in flat and horsemanship, respectively.
In today’s meet, UT Martin piled up three points in flat, two in fences, one in horsemanship and one in reining. The Skyhawks claimed a pair of MOP recipients in Hott (86 points in fences) and Lexi Bailey (71.25 points in reining).
UT Martin led by a 3-2 margin after the flat portion began the day. Sundem garnered her team-best ninth win behind a 77-point triumph while Hott (67.5, sixth win of the year) and Haley Kane (72.5, fifth victory of the season) also helped the Skyhawks take the early advantage. Elizabeth Becker (71.5 points) and Bridget Vieau (52.5) completed UT Martin’s lineup.
Schaefer’s 74.5 points in horsemanship were good enough for her seventh head-to-head victory in 2023-24 but the tournament host Aggies were able to take a 6-4 lead at halftime. Ava Newsom (74.25 points) and Bailey (74) were right behind Schaefer for the team lead while Mia McAfoos (73.25) and Kate Davis (70) were also responsible for solid scores.
The Skyhawks picked up two points in fences behind Hott’s team-high ninth win and third MOP of the season. Gabby Adams’ 77-point effort resulted in the fifth win of the season for the freshman while Kane (80.5 points), Kate Mills (73) and Becker (66) represented UT Martin in fences.
Trailing 9-6 going into reining, the Skyhawks gave a strong charge but were edged out in several close calls. Bailey’s team-best eighth win and third MOP performance was the standout ride for the Skyhawks while Schaefer (matching Bailey’s team-high score of 71.25) and Davis (68.5) were defeated by the slimmest of margins – 0.25 points apiece. Aubrey Malone (68.75 points) and Logan Putvinski (68.5) were additionally defeated by two points apiece.
Ranked No. 8 in the last five national polls, UT Martin (6-8) will now have to wait and see if the NCEA Selection Committee selects the Skyhawks to compete in the eight-team NCEA Championship, which takes place in Ocala, Fla. on April 18-20.
