NO. 10 UT MARTIN EQUESTRIAN UPSET BID OF NO. 6 SMU COMES UP JUST SHORT ON SENIOR DAY

Thursday, February 20

Martin, Tenn.

10 a.m.

UT Martin

SMU

NO. 10 UT MARTIN EQUESTRIAN UPSET BID OF NO. 6 SMU COMES UP JUST SHORT ON SENIOR DAY

2/20/2020 7:14:00 PM | Equestrian

Results

MARTIN, Tenn. – The No. 10 ranked University of Tennessee at Martin equestrian squad hung with No. 6 SMU today at the Ned McWherter Agricultural Complex but the Skyhawks narrowly fell by an 11-7 margin.

Prior to the competition, Jade Bleskey, Sarah Kent, Randi LaChance, Savannah Metheny, Johnie Parker and Grace Salmon were each honored as part of Senior Day ceremonies. Those six have combined for 33 victories in a Skyhawk uniform.

UT Martin earned four wins in the Western discipline and three victories in the Jumping Seat discipline today. Highlighting the individual performers was junior Abbie Hopkins, who secured her first MOP honor of the season in fences with an 84-point score.

The Skyhawks found the most success in reining, taking three of the five points. Brooke Bradley collected a win behind a 69.5-point performance while Hannah McDonald and Noel Meadows each emerged victorious with scores of 68 points. Tess Baumann (68 points) and Natalie Armstrong (64.5) also represented UT Martin in the event.

In flat, Mahalia Alascio led the way with 77 points – which topped all riders in the event on the way to the second win of her freshman campaign. Hopkins additionally collected a victory with a 73-point effort while LaChance tied her competitor after tallying 63 points. Kelby Kane and Quinn Reed also took part in flat and scored 73 and 67 points, respectively.

Devon Woods came away with the Skyhawks' lone win in horsemanship, piling up 74.5 points for her fifth win of the season. Paige Benson also scored 74.5 points to equal her head-to-head competitor. Lucy Eier (71.5 points), Bailey Newlin (67.5) and Baumann (61.5) rounded out UT Martin's lineup in the event.

Hopkins' MOP performance in fences was four points better than her previous season-high, set back on Sept. 20 against then-No. 4 Oklahoma State. Kane (73 points), Tyler Anderson (72), Metheny (71) and Grace Rogers (65) all turned in solid performances but ultimately SMU walked away with four victories in the event.

The Skyhawks face a quick turnaround before their next competition, as they host SUNY New Paltz in the 2019-20 home finale on Friday, Feb. 21. The competition – which will feature the Jumping Seat discipline only – is set to start at 10 a.m.