Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirl Equestrian Set to Compete at 2002 IHSA National Championships
April 03, 2003 | Cowgirl Equestrian
"Our goals were to take both teams to nationals and to hopefully come away with another national championship, if not just one, but in both disciplines," head coach Larry Sanchez said. "I feel like the girls are in a really good place mentally right now. I also feel that they are in a real good position in peaking at the right time heading into nationals."
The Cowgirls are coming off a fifth-place finish at the first-ever Varsity Championships, where 10 riders place in the top-10 of their respective disciplines. Lindsey Smith and Crissy Meeks each finished second.
"I believe it (Varsity Championships) was a very good preparation for nationals," Sanchez said. "Sometimes when you don't have your best competition before a national championship, it gives you a lot of energy to work hard and accomplish the goals that you want."
Individually, three riders qualified for nationals. Emily Hoaglan qualified for nationals after winning the Walk Trot division en route to her first Zone Championship. Crissy Meeks and Chandy Hale each placed second in Open Horsemanship and Intermediate, respectively, to qualify for nationals. To qualify for nationals, a rider must place in the top two of their division.
The Hunter team earned its berth to nationals after winning the regional championships. It went on to become the 2002 Zone Seven Champion after defeating Colorado State, 50-46. The Western team earned its berth to nationals after placing ahead of New Mexico State at zones.
"We always seem to be the underdogs to the East Coast schools," assistant coach Suzanne Flaig said. "We are trying to make it known that we are just as much of a contender as they are.
"We have such a large team that only a small percentage get to compete at nationals," Flaig said. "It's not just the 14 that are going, it is everybody that has pushed them in practice, it's Cathy (Lopez) and Megan (Rossiter) for setting up the jumps three days a week. This has been a team effort and will continue to be," Flaig said.
Competition begins on Friday and will conclude on Sunday at Cazenovia College.
2002 Nationals Roster
Western Crissy Meeks (Open) Kayla Elmenhorst (Reining) Kate Hayes (Advanced) Luann Ulrich (Intermediate) April Peck (Beginning)
Hunter Corrie Janssen (Open Fences) Emily Harison (Intermediate Fences) Lindsey Smith (Novice Fences) Lindsay Pounds (Open Flat) Kelli Combs (Intermediate Flat) Katie Thomas (Novice Flat) Chandy Hale (Walk-Trot-Canter) Laura Brawdy (Walk-Trot)
Individuals Emily Hoaglan (Walk-Trot) Crissy Meeks (Open Horsemanship) Chandy Hale (Intermediate)
