Thursday, January 28
Fort Worth, Texas
UT Martin
at
TCU
Photo by: UT Martin University Relations
UT MARTIN EQUESTRIAN STARTS 2020-21 CAMPAIGN WITH ACTIVE STRETCH IN THE LONE STAR STATE
1/25/2021 12:19:00 PM | Equestrian
MARTIN, Tenn. – The 2020-21 University of Tennessee at Martin equestrian season begins this week as the Skyhawks travel to Texas for three competitions in as many days. UT Martin heads to Fort Worth on Thursday, Jan. 28 to take on No. 8 TCU before settling in Dallas for matchups against South Dakota State and No. 5 SMU on back-to-back days (Jan. 29-30).
After six seasons as a Skyhawk assistant, Kim Leiter will make her head coaching debut as she was appointed UT Martin's interim coach on Nov. 19. She oversees a squad that includes 33 talented returners while she also welcomes in 13 newcomers.
Two-time National Collegiate Equestrian Association All-Americans Abbie Hopkins and Noel Meadows return for the Skyhawks. Hopkins chalked up All-American status in flat last season (team-best eight wins in 11 tries, notching ECAC Flat Rider of the Year accolades) after earning All-American status in fences as a freshman. Meadows won All-American honors in reining in 2018-19, owning 16 career victories in that event during her illustrious UT Martin career.
Overall, 17 different Skyhawk returnees saw action in an official capacity last season. UT Martin returns the most experience at horsemanship, where all five riders – including four seniors – are back. Devon Woods (team-best five wins) and Bailey Newlin (team-high 73.2 scoring average) return while Paige Benson (three victories, one MOP), Lucy Eier (two wins) and Tess Baumann (one victory, one MOP) cement a solid returning core for the Skyhawks.
In reining, Hannah McDonald returns after posting team-high tallies of six wins and a 68.8 scoring average as a junior. Baumann was responsible for five victories and a team-best two MOP's in 2019-20 while Brooke Bradley (three wins), Noel Meadows (two wins) and Natalie Armstrong (65.5 scoring average) also return.
Hopkins' team-high 77.1 scoring average and three MOP's pace six returners who took part in flat last season. Quinn Reed (three victories), Mahalia Alascio (two wins), Haley Kane (one triumph), Julia Gilman (one victory) and Katelyn Schultz (61.0 scoring average) each bring experience to the table for Leiter.
Four UT Martin riders officially competed in fences in 2019-20, led by Grace Rogers (team-high four wins, 76.0 scoring average, one MOP). Hopkins collected a pair of MOP's amongst her three victories while the duo of Tyler Anderson (one victory) and Kane (69.0 scoring average) are back after solid freshman campaigns.
This first wave of competitions begins a regular season that includes 10 dates and a pair of postseason opportunities. Following this weekend, the Skyhawks host Minnesota-Crookston (Feb. 12), Wilson College (Feb. 13) and Delaware State (Feb. 19) for a long homestand. UT Martin then travels to Dover, Del. to face Delaware State and Wilson College on March 5-6 before wrapping up the regular season at home against Oklahoma State (March 12) and Sweet Briar College (March 13).
The Skyhawks were selected to host the 2021 version of the Eastern College Athletic Conference Championship, which will be held at the Ned McWherter Agricultural Pavilion on March 25-27. The annual NCEA Championships will take place on April 15-17 in Waco, Texas.
After six seasons as a Skyhawk assistant, Kim Leiter will make her head coaching debut as she was appointed UT Martin's interim coach on Nov. 19. She oversees a squad that includes 33 talented returners while she also welcomes in 13 newcomers.
Two-time National Collegiate Equestrian Association All-Americans Abbie Hopkins and Noel Meadows return for the Skyhawks. Hopkins chalked up All-American status in flat last season (team-best eight wins in 11 tries, notching ECAC Flat Rider of the Year accolades) after earning All-American status in fences as a freshman. Meadows won All-American honors in reining in 2018-19, owning 16 career victories in that event during her illustrious UT Martin career.
Overall, 17 different Skyhawk returnees saw action in an official capacity last season. UT Martin returns the most experience at horsemanship, where all five riders – including four seniors – are back. Devon Woods (team-best five wins) and Bailey Newlin (team-high 73.2 scoring average) return while Paige Benson (three victories, one MOP), Lucy Eier (two wins) and Tess Baumann (one victory, one MOP) cement a solid returning core for the Skyhawks.
In reining, Hannah McDonald returns after posting team-high tallies of six wins and a 68.8 scoring average as a junior. Baumann was responsible for five victories and a team-best two MOP's in 2019-20 while Brooke Bradley (three wins), Noel Meadows (two wins) and Natalie Armstrong (65.5 scoring average) also return.
Hopkins' team-high 77.1 scoring average and three MOP's pace six returners who took part in flat last season. Quinn Reed (three victories), Mahalia Alascio (two wins), Haley Kane (one triumph), Julia Gilman (one victory) and Katelyn Schultz (61.0 scoring average) each bring experience to the table for Leiter.
Four UT Martin riders officially competed in fences in 2019-20, led by Grace Rogers (team-high four wins, 76.0 scoring average, one MOP). Hopkins collected a pair of MOP's amongst her three victories while the duo of Tyler Anderson (one victory) and Kane (69.0 scoring average) are back after solid freshman campaigns.
This first wave of competitions begins a regular season that includes 10 dates and a pair of postseason opportunities. Following this weekend, the Skyhawks host Minnesota-Crookston (Feb. 12), Wilson College (Feb. 13) and Delaware State (Feb. 19) for a long homestand. UT Martin then travels to Dover, Del. to face Delaware State and Wilson College on March 5-6 before wrapping up the regular season at home against Oklahoma State (March 12) and Sweet Briar College (March 13).
The Skyhawks were selected to host the 2021 version of the Eastern College Athletic Conference Championship, which will be held at the Ned McWherter Agricultural Pavilion on March 25-27. The annual NCEA Championships will take place on April 15-17 in Waco, Texas.
Players Mentioned
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