Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
Auburn
Cowgirl Equestrian's Season Ends in National Semifinal
April 14, 2023 | Cowgirl Equestrian
OCALA, Fla. — Oklahoma State's equestrian team saw its season come to an end with a 14-6 setback against Auburn in the semifinals of the NCEA National Championship Friday in Ocala, Florida.
The Cowgirls' season concludes with a 9-5 record, including eight ranked wins as well as a third-consecutive Big 12 Conference title. They also advanced to the semifinal of the NCEA National Championship for the fourth-straight season in which the championship was held.
"Even though it didn't turn out the way we wanted it to, I felt like we had a lot of really strong rides out there," head coach Larry Sanchez said. "The girls were riding the best they have all year, and I couldn't be more proud of the effort they gave."
The meet began with Fences and Reining. In Fences, Auburn claimed four of the five available points. Grace McReynolds fell to Mary-Grace Segars, 241-225, before Emma Pacyna fell short against Ellie Ferrigno 254-157. Auburn's Emma Kurtz then beat Sydney North, 251-234, and Sophee Steckbeck defeated Sydnie Ziegler, 258-251. Riley Hogan earned her point to avoid the Fences sweep, winning 259-249.
While Fences was in action, the Cowgirls took a 3-2 advantage in Reining. Auburn claimed the first two Reining points, with Quincee Clark falling, 215.5-213 and Jojo Roberson coming up short, 217.5-215. Hannah Lovrien followed that by winning 213-207.5, marking the first of three-straight Cowgirl points. Molly Mitchell would win her point, 189-183, before Tristan Bagby finished the event with a 209-201.5 win.
With OSU trailing 6-4 at the halfway point, Flat began. Auburn would win the first four points in the event, beginning with Segars defeating Ella Reinauer, 240-236. Hope King would then fall to Sophee Steckbeck, 223-220, after a score change and McReynolds came up short against Emma Kurtz, 243-224. Auburn's Ava Stearns defeated Elizabeth Carter, 252-224, but Hogan once again managed to win her point, 251-248, to avoid a sweep of the event.
The meet continued with Horsemanship, with the Cowgirls needing a sweep to tie the meet. Auburn quickly clinched the meet, however, as Madison Parduhn defeated Jojo Roberson, 229-228.5. Claire McDowall followed that by winning the only Cowgirl point in the event, 232.5-227.5, before Auburn claimed the final three points of the meet. June Roberson fell 235.5-229.5 before Maddie Fussell fell just short, 235.5-233. Auburn's Caroline Fredenburg would defeat Natalie Vargo, 229-228, for the final point of the meet, completing the 14-6 final score.
Players Mentioned
