A memorable 2020-21 season came to an end today for the UTM equestrian program as the Skyhawks earned reserve champion status following an 11-4 loss to SMU in the Eastern College Athletic Conference finals.
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UTM won three out of four points in reining and added a victory in flat to go along with a tie score in fences. The Skyhawks boasted a pair of MOP’s as Julia Gilman’s 166 (83-83) was the best in the field in flat while Noel Meadows’ reining score of 145.5 (72-73.5) was the best performance this afternoon.
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Ranked fourth nationally, SMU improved to 8-1 on the season as the top-seeded Mustangs will represent the ECAC in the NCEA Championships on April 15-17 in Waco, Texas.
Quinn Reed tied her opponent in fences after a re-ride on Ferrari, combining for 163 points after scores of 81-82. Gilman’s 164 (85-79) was UTM’s highest score in the event while Abbie Hopkins (143, 73-70) and Mahalia Alascio (137, 68-69) also comprised the Skyhawks’ scoring lineup.
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In horsemanship, UTM was paced by Lucy Eier’s tally of 149 points (75-74). Devon Woods (73.5-74.5) and Tess Baumann (74.5-73.5) both scored 148 points while Bailey Newlin (138.5, 69-69.5) completed the team scoring in the event.
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Gilman’s MOP ride-in flat got the Skyhawks on the board as it was the first career MOP for the sophomore out of Barrington, Illinois. Additionally representing UTM in the event was Haley Kane (152, 74-78), Hopkins (149, 72-77) and Reed (144, 71-73).
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The Skyhawks found immense success in reining as Meadows clinched the fifth MOP of her storied career. Baumann’s 145 (71-74) was good enough for a one-point victory while Maggie Malone earned a win after a composite score of 138.5 (69-69.5). ECAC Reining Rider of the Year Hannah McDonald also secured 136.5 points (68-68.5) for UTM.
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Wrapping up the 2020-21 campaign with a 3-5 overall record are the Skyhawks, who were tutored by 2021 ECAC Coach of the Year Kim Leiter. Today marked the final appearance in the collegiate careers of nine outstanding UTM seniors in Baumann, Eier, Hopkins, McDonald, Meadows, Newlin, Reed, Grace Rogers and Woods. That group combined for 169 individual victories and 36 MOP accolades in their Skyhawk careers.
