No. 3 Texas A&M claims conference opener, 10-8, at No. 8 South Carolina

Friday, September 30

Blythewood, S.C.

1:00 PM

Texas A&M

South Carolina

Photo by: Texas A&M Athletics

Sep 30, 2016 | Equestrian

Box: TAMU 10, USC 8 (PDF)

By: Texas A&M Media Relations

BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. – The No. 3 Texas A&M Equestrian team won its conference opener against No. 8 South Carolina, 10-8, Friday at the One Wood Farm.

"We knew we had to bring our best in every event," head coach Tana McKay said. "On the road in the SEC, nothing is given. We didn't take anything for granted, and the girls worked really hard today. We still have some things we need to work on for another tough test against Auburn, but overall I am very happy with how we competed today."

The Aggies (2-0, 1-0 SEC) took an early 3-2 lead after Reining. Junior Madison Bohman earned the first point of the meet with a 68-66.5 victory over Paisley Roberts. Senior Sarah Kate Grider scored a 69.5, bettering Jordan Scott's 68.5. Sophomore Haley Franc defeated Bailey Walters, 67.5-66.5, to close the event.

South Carolina (1-1, 0-1 SEC) won Equitation over Fences, 4-1, to lead 6-4 at the break. Junior Rachael Hake earned the lone point for the Aggies, topping Lizzie van der Walde, 80-78.

Texas A&M quickly regained the lead, shutting out the Gamecocks, 3-0, in Horsemanship. Junior Bailey Cook led off with a 70.5-70 victory, before sophomore Sarah Orsak defeated Paige Stopperich, 74.5-73.5, earning MOP honors. Following a tie between senior Rachel Lucht and Megan Overberg, senior Kaci Fisher beat Ashley Reichert, 67.5-66.5. Junior Avery Ellis and Bailey Mierzejewski tied at 69.5.

In Equitation on the Flat, junior Alex Desiderio claimed an 84-65 victory over Sydney Smith and was named MOP for her efforts. Junior Madeline Swem toppled Lizzie van der Walde, 72-62, before sophomore Rebekah Chenelle clinched the win with a 74-71 victory over Lauren Fabiano.

Texas A&M returns to action with a 10 a.m. CT meet on October 15 at No. 1 Auburn.

To learn more about Texas A&M Equestrian, log on to 12thMan.com and follow @AggieEquestrian on Twitter.

#3 Texas A&M 10, #8 South Carolina 8
Equitation on the Flat
Alex Desiderio (A&M)** def. Sydney Smith (USC), 84-65
Chloe Schmidt (USC) def. Izzy Norton (A&M), 76-66
Katie Mack (USC) def. Rachael Hake (A&M), 82-81
Maddie Swem (A&M) def. Lizzie van der Walde (USC), 72-62
Rebekah Chenelle (A&M) def. Lauren Fabiano (USC), 74-71

Equitation Over Fences
Rachael Hake (A&M) def. Lizzie Vander Walde (USC), 80-78
Raleigh Bacharach (USC) def. Alex Desiderio (A&M), 79-66
Chloe Schmidt (USC) def. Rebekah Chenelle (A&M), 84-83
Sydney Smith (USC) def. Adele McKenna (A&M), 84-35
Madison Butehorn** (USC) def. Haley Webster (A&M), 85-79

Horsemanship
Bailey Cook (A&M) def. Courtney Allen (USC), 70.5-70
Sarah Orsak (A&M)** def. Paige Stopperich (USC), 74.5-73.5
Rachel Lucht (A&M) tied Megan Overberg (USC), 74.5-74.5
Kaci Fisher (A&M) def. Ashley Reichert (USC), 67.5-66.5
Avery Ellis (A&M) tied Bailey Mierzejewski (USC), 69.5-69.5

Reining
Madison Bohman (A&M) def. Paisley Roberts (USC), 68-66.5
Madison Thiel (USC) def. Sarah McEntire (A&M), 68-66
Sarah Kate Grider (A&M) def. Jordan Scott (USC), 69.5-68.5
Caroline Gute (USC)** def. Jaci Marley (A&M), 70.5-69
Haley Franc (A&M) def. Bailey Walters (USC), 67.5-66.5