ALASCIO GARNERS MOP HONORS BUT SKYHAWK EQUESTRIAN FALLS IN SEASON OPENER AT NO. 8 TCU

Thursday, January 28

Fort Worth, Texas

UT Martin

TCU

ALASCIO GARNERS MOP HONORS BUT SKYHAWK EQUESTRIAN FALLS IN SEASON OPENER AT NO. 8 TCU

1/28/2021 7:27:00 PM | Equestrian

Results

FORT WORTH, Texas – The 2020-21 University of Tennessee at Martin equestrian season began today as the Skyhawks battled but fell to No. 8 ranked TCU by a 15-4 margin.

Three of UT Martin's head-to-head victories came in the Western discipline as the Skyhawks claimed a pair of wins in reining and one triumph in horsemanship. In Hunt Seat, UT Martin nabbed one MOP honor in flat and posted a tie in fences.

Mahalia Alascio earned MOP status for the Skyhawks in flat as the sophomore from Annapolis, Md. shined to the tune of 89 points to defeat her competitor by two points. Abbie Hopkins (80), Julia Gilman (79), Katelyn Schultz (68) and Quinn Reed (65) also represented UT Martin in flat.

The duo of Noel Meadows and Hannah McDonald began their senior seasons on the right foot, each generating a victory in reining. Meadows piled up a score of 71.5 points while McDonald accumulated 67.5 points. Also representing the Skyhawk lineup was Maggie Malone (69), Tess Baumann (65) and Erin Bledsoe (64.5).

Bailey Newlin came away with UT Martin's win in horsemanship as she was awarded 73.5 points by the judges. Paige Benson posted an identical tally of 73.5 while Devon Woods (71.5), Baumann (70) and Lucy Eier (62) rounded out the scoring for the Skyhawks.

In fences, Gilman put together a strong effort of 82 points – which led to a draw against her competitor. Alascio's 76 was the next best score for UT Martin as she was followed by Hopkins (71), Grace Rogers (70) and Reed (68).

The Skyhawks will now head to Dallas to take part in the final two competitions of their season-opening swing through Texas. UT Martin battles South Dakota State for fences and horsemanship on Friday, Jan. 29 before finishing up the matchup with flat and reining on Saturday, Jan. 30. In addition, the Skyhawks will also square off against No. 5 SMU on Saturday, Jan. 30.