Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
TCU
Cowgirls Sweep TCU, Keep Perfect Home Record
February 23, 2019 | Cowgirl Equestrian
Scoresheet
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State's sixth-ranked equestrian team defeated No. 8 TCU, 12-8, on Saturday in Totusek Arena.
With the victory, the Cowgirls improved to 4-5 overall and 2-2 in Big 12 Conference play. All four of OSU's victories have come at home, with each of its losses against top-10 ranked teams on the road.
"Any meet against Big 12 competition is hard," said OSU head coach Larry Sanchez. "TCU is well-coached. They recruit well. They have top-caliber riders. Anytime you can beat another big 12 team, it's special. In the end, you want to ride the best that you can, and it doesn't matter who you're competing against. In our sport, it's about you and that horse and that ride."
Against TCU, the Cowgirls' Equitation over Fences team received points from sophomores Abigail Brayman and Katie Schell, but it was junior Hannah Janson's score of 86 that decided the category. Janson's score was a meet high and earned her Most Outstanding Performer honors. Brayman has now won six of her last eight outings, while Schell has won three straight.
"From beginning to end, (Janson) was locked in," Sanchez said. "(I was impressed by) her focus and her mentality. When she walked into the arena, I could tell that she was there. She rode Oakley like nobody's business. I knew when she came out, that she was going to be very hard to beat."
With a 3-2 lead, the Cowgirl Horsemanship team extended its hot streak, winning in its third-straight meet. Sophomores Natalie Alcorn and Harley Huff won their matchups to continue their individual streaks; Alcorn has won four consecutive meets and Huff in five in a row. Emma Verplank clinched the category for OSU, and the junior has now won five of her six matchups this season.
OSU led 6-4 at the midway point, and Equitation on the Flat began the second half of the meet. Schell and Janson maintained their winning ways, each scoring their second point of the day. Freshman Katie Pelzel remained undefeated, sealing victory on the Flat for OSU by scoring 80 in her matchup.
"I've been so pleased with Katie (Pelzel)," Janson said. "In every meet I see her confidence improving. She works so hard, and I'm glad it's coming together for her."
Needing two points to clinch back-to-back wins for the Cowgirls, juniors Kristi Wiggins and Hannah Mitchell each scored 72.5 to win the day for OSU, with Mitchell earning an MOP. For good measure, Stephanie Helsen won her matchup and completed the Cowgirl sweep.
"The wins against SMU and TCU really boosted our confidence," Mitchell said. "The fall semester was really tough. We can learn a lot from these rides and take them to the road meets."
Up next, the Cowgirls travel to Dover, Delaware, to face Delaware State and South Dakota State on March 1st and 2nd.
Players Mentioned
