Oklahoma State University Athletics
Getting to Know...Maggie Drysch
June 29, 2017 | Cowgirl Equestrian
Coming to Oklahoma State University wasn't Maggie Drysch's first choice, but she hasn't had any regrets since joining the OSU family. She has enjoyed success during her years on the equestrian team. She came to Oklahoma from California and has felt at home in Stillwater.
In her first year of competing, Drysch earned two Most Outstanding Performer during wins against Baylor and Kansas State. She had success on the national stage where she went 4-0 in the NCEA Championships. The last two years have seen her earn six MOP honors and she received second-team NCEA All-American honors and All-Big 12 team honors for Equitation on the Flat.
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What made you want to come to OSU?
Funny story. I actually didn't want to come to OSU. It was my last official visit and my mom had to force me to come. I was determined I wasn't going to end up in Oklahoma for four years. However, I came on my visit and fell in love. I loved the campus, the traditions, the athletics, the coaching staff and so much more. Larry and his coaching staff really helped make OSU feel like my home away from home which meant a lot to me being so far away. It's funny now that I never wanted to come to Oklahoma and now here I am going into my 5th year to start graduate school!
What is your favorite OSU tradition? Why?
Homecoming for sure. I love how unique it is to OSU. Nothing compares to Homecoming weekend in Stillwater.
What is your pre-meet ritual?
Katie Jones and I kind of started a tradition this year with Kendall Pedigo where she gives us a pep talk before we go in for fences where she curses. If you know Kendall, she is not one to publicly curse and the first time she gave us one of these pep talks, we swept TCU.
What is your favorite event to compete in?
Fences.
What's something interesting about yourself that not many people know?
My uncle was the one who made the 75K, half-court shot at the Miami Heat game and was tackled by LeBron. This is really random, but I have met a lot of people who found this really cool when they put it together!
Did you play any other sports in high school?
No I didn't. Showing took up most of my time.
What is your proudest sports moment?
My proudest sports moment was probably when we played TCU this year. Right after I went in the ring for fences, I got sick due to my blood sugars being really high. I barely got the chance to talk to Sammy before I was in the bathroom throwing up. Before flat, she kept asking me whether I was okay to go in and I promised her I was. I ended up receiving my career high in the flat and MOP for both events. That was a big day for me, not only because I wanted Sammy to know she could trust me when I said I was okay despite how sick I was, but to push through that and be rewarded in that way was extra special. I was diagnosed with Type One diabetes the day after my first riding lesson and ever since this sport has meant more to me than just the love for riding. Being able to ride and compete proves to myself that diabetes doesn't define me or my ability, so that day meant a lot more to me than the MOPs. I still can't believe it happened and I can't thank Sammy or my teammates enough for believing in me and supporting me through that day.
What are your favorite professional sports teams?
I grew up Chicago Cubs fan because of my dad and have really become a Thunder fan since coming to OSU.
What are your goals for next year?
To make the most of everything. This is my last year on the team and I want to make it a year to remember. Every time I go in the ring I want to lay it all out there so I can look back and say I went for it every chance I was given.
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In her first year of competing, Drysch earned two Most Outstanding Performer during wins against Baylor and Kansas State. She had success on the national stage where she went 4-0 in the NCEA Championships. The last two years have seen her earn six MOP honors and she received second-team NCEA All-American honors and All-Big 12 team honors for Equitation on the Flat.
Â
What made you want to come to OSU?
Funny story. I actually didn't want to come to OSU. It was my last official visit and my mom had to force me to come. I was determined I wasn't going to end up in Oklahoma for four years. However, I came on my visit and fell in love. I loved the campus, the traditions, the athletics, the coaching staff and so much more. Larry and his coaching staff really helped make OSU feel like my home away from home which meant a lot to me being so far away. It's funny now that I never wanted to come to Oklahoma and now here I am going into my 5th year to start graduate school!
What is your favorite OSU tradition? Why?
Homecoming for sure. I love how unique it is to OSU. Nothing compares to Homecoming weekend in Stillwater.
What is your pre-meet ritual?
Katie Jones and I kind of started a tradition this year with Kendall Pedigo where she gives us a pep talk before we go in for fences where she curses. If you know Kendall, she is not one to publicly curse and the first time she gave us one of these pep talks, we swept TCU.
What is your favorite event to compete in?
Fences.
What's something interesting about yourself that not many people know?
My uncle was the one who made the 75K, half-court shot at the Miami Heat game and was tackled by LeBron. This is really random, but I have met a lot of people who found this really cool when they put it together!
Did you play any other sports in high school?
No I didn't. Showing took up most of my time.
What is your proudest sports moment?
My proudest sports moment was probably when we played TCU this year. Right after I went in the ring for fences, I got sick due to my blood sugars being really high. I barely got the chance to talk to Sammy before I was in the bathroom throwing up. Before flat, she kept asking me whether I was okay to go in and I promised her I was. I ended up receiving my career high in the flat and MOP for both events. That was a big day for me, not only because I wanted Sammy to know she could trust me when I said I was okay despite how sick I was, but to push through that and be rewarded in that way was extra special. I was diagnosed with Type One diabetes the day after my first riding lesson and ever since this sport has meant more to me than just the love for riding. Being able to ride and compete proves to myself that diabetes doesn't define me or my ability, so that day meant a lot more to me than the MOPs. I still can't believe it happened and I can't thank Sammy or my teammates enough for believing in me and supporting me through that day.
What are your favorite professional sports teams?
I grew up Chicago Cubs fan because of my dad and have really become a Thunder fan since coming to OSU.
What are your goals for next year?
To make the most of everything. This is my last year on the team and I want to make it a year to remember. Every time I go in the ring I want to lay it all out there so I can look back and say I went for it every chance I was given.
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Players Mentioned
Friday, June 05
Friday, May 29
Wednesday, May 27
Monday, May 18
