NO. 10 UT MARTIN ADVANCES TO UEC SEMIFINALS AFTER THRILLING 9-7 WIN OVER SOUTH DAKOTA STATE

Thursday, March 21

Martin, Tenn.

10 A.M.

UT Martin

South Dakota State

NO. 10 UT MARTIN ADVANCES TO UEC SEMIFINALS AFTER THRILLING 9-7 WIN OVER SOUTH DAKOTA STATE

3/21/2019 4:13:00 PM | Equestrian

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Results

MARTIN, Tenn. – The 2019 United Equestrian Conference Championship tournament opened today with a close quarterfinal matchup as the University of Tennessee at Martin edged out South Dakota State by a 9-7 margin at the Ned McWherter Agricultural Pavilion.

The Skyhawks, seeded No. 4 in the tournament and No. 10 nationally, fell behind early but was able to secure the victory with a pair of late wins in equitation on the flat. Overall, UT Martin won three points apiece in the horsemanship, reining and equitation on the flat events.

"We were slow out of the gate today," Skyhawk head coach Meghan Corvin said. "I'm thankful that we had three events strong enough to pull us back over to a victory but it was a little too close for comfort. Our Western squad carried us today – they dominated and without them, I'm not quite sure that we would have overcome our deficit."

After South Dakota State went ahead 4-0 thanks to a sweep in equitation over fences, UT Martin earned three points in horsemanship. Tess Baumann (145.5 points), Bailey Newlin (143.5) and Devon Woods (142.5 points) were each declared victors in their head-to-head matchups.

The Skyhawks evened the overall score at 6-all after taking three out of four points in reining. Noel Meadows chalked up 136.5 points on her way to the win while Maddie Mykolaitis and Tess Baumann also claimed victories with scores of 136 points and 135.5 points, respectively.

Monika Zoromski tilted the score back in favor of the Skyhawks with a 161-point effort in equitation on the flat. The Jackrabbits evened the overall tally at 7-all before UT Martin accounted for the final two points via individual wins from Kelby Kane (151 points) and Abbie Hopkins (128 points).

With the win, the Skyhawks advance to the semifinal round against top-seeded SMU on Friday, March 22. No. 2 Delaware State will also take on No. 3 Fresno State at 10 a.m. tomorrow at the Ned McWherter Agricultural Pavilion.