FELTON, Del. – Competing for the first time in nearly three weeks, the University of Tennessee at Martin equestrian team showed zero signs of rust today as the Skyhawks downed Eastern College Athletic Conference foe South Dakota State by a 12-4 margin.
UT Martin accounted for all four MOP’s as those medals went to Emerson Maier in fences (career-high 85 points), Gabby Adams in flat (85 points), Mia McAfoos in horsemanship (74.5 points) and Aubrey Malone in reining (69 points). With the win, the Skyhawks improved to 3-0 in the ECAC standings for the 2024-25 campaign.
UT Martin swept all four head-to-head victories in horsemanship, starting with McAfoos’ first MOP and fourth win of the season. Lexi Bailey tied for a team-high score of 74.5 points for her fifth triumph of the year and while Lillian Laney (74 points, fourth win) and Kate Davis (73 points, third win) also emerged victorious.
In reining, the Skyhawks took three out of four points – headed by Malone’s first MOP and fourth victory of the season. Joining Malone with wins was Elise Mason (72 points for her team-best fifth consecutive triumph) and Logan Putvinski (70.5 points, tying Mason for the team lead with her fifth victory). Bailey also took part in the event for UT Martin, securing 61 points.
The Skyhawks additionally claimed three victories in flat as Adams pushed her winning streak out to five meets with her team-best third MOP of the 2024-25 campaign. Bridget Vieau (76 points) and Elizabeth Becker (71 points) also earned their second victories of the season while Lydia Jordan collected 71 points to round out the UT Martin lineup.
Maier’s first collegiate MOP and third win of the season highlighted the Skyhawks in fences as the sophomore from Land O’ Lakes, Fla. set a career-high score for the second time in as many meets. Becker (82 points) also came through for her team-best fifth win of the season while Adams and Kate Mills also represented UT Martin with 70 and 69 points, respectively.
The fall season comes to an end tomorrow for the Skyhawks as they will take on ECAC rival Delaware State at 7:30 a.m. CT.
