Carolina Adds McKenzie Duncan to Western Squad
Dec. 6, 2016
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The University of South Carolina equestrian program is proud to welcome McKenzie Duncan to the Gamecock family. A reining student-athlete from New Albany, Ohio, Duncan recently signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Gamecocks in 2017-18.
“We are really fortunate to have signed McKenzie Duncan to our reining squad,” Carolina head coach Boo Major said. “Another great western rider from Ohio, McKenzie has been very involved in the NRHA .”
Duncan is the daughter of Skip and Kathy Duncan. She has one younger brother, William, and attends The Columbus Academy in Gahanna, Ohio.
Duncan brings a long list of accomplishments to the Carolina program. She was a 2016 North American Affiliate Championships qualifier and finished sixth in AQHA Novice Youth Reining at the 2016 All-American Quarter Horse Congress. She finished fourth in the 2016 Central Ohio Reining Horse Association rookie competition and serves as President of the Buckeye Riders IEA.
In 2015, Duncan was a NYATT and Clayton Woosley Youth Derby Reserve Champion. She finished third at the East Central Affiliate Championships and at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress, she placed fourth in NRHA Youth Reining and eighth in NRHA Rookie Reining.
“McKenzie also has been extremely competitive in the IEA, which is a great training ground for reiners that aspire to compete in college,” Major added. “Having the combination of NRHA and IEA experiences will make her a force to be reckoned with.”
A 4.0 student, Duncan is currently editor-in-chief of the Columbus Academy yearbook and the leader of the Bridges and Connections Club. She is a frequent volunteer at the Dreams on Horseback therapeutic riding program, and she also lends her spare time to the Equestrian Special Olympics.
UP NEXT FOR THE GAMECOCKS
Carolina (3-3, 1-2 SEC) will return to action on Friday, Feb. 3, when they face off with SEC rival Georgia. Start time in Bishop, Ga., is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET, and the Gamecocks will stay in the Peach State to take on Delaware State one day later.
