Gamecocks Ranked Eighth in Preseason NCEA Poll
Sept. 20, 2016
2016-17 GAMECOCK ROSTER // 2016-17 GAMECOCK SCHEDULE
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The University of South Carolina equestrian team is ranked No. 8 in the 2016-17 NCEA Preseason National Poll, which was released Tuesday. The Gamecocks are one of four SEC schools listed in the preseason rankings.
2015-16 NCEA national champion Auburn tops the 2016-17 preseason list, with fellow SEC member Georgia coming in at No. 2. TCU, SEC member Texas A&M and Baylor round out the top five, with Oklahoma State, SMU, the Gamecocks, Fresno State and Delaware State making up the bottom half of the rankings.
“After our poor showing at the national championship last year, I wasn’t expecting a high ranking,” South Carolina head coach Boo Major said. “I’m confident we have a better team this year and am excited to get the season started this Friday.”
Major’s team plays an ambitious schedule in 2016-17, beginning Friday with a home meet against No. 5 Baylor. Of South Carolina’s 12 regular-season meets, 11 are against preseason top-10 teams. The Gamecocks will face eight NCEA preseason top-10 clubs at least once before the regular season is over.
The Gamecocks have already competed once this season, a 8-2 hunt seat exhibition win over Alabama. At the same time, the Black team defeated the Garnet, 5-2, in a western intra-squad scrimmage.
UP NEXT FOR THE GAMECOCKS
South Carolina is back home on Friday to face No. 5 Baylor. The competition begins at 2 p.m. ET at One Wood Farm in Blythewood as the regular season commences for both teams.
