March 3, 2015

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The University of South Carolina equestrian team is now ranked No. 1 in the country, it was announced Tuesday by the National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA).

It marks the equestrian program’s first No. 1 ranking of the season and their first time atop the polls since the Gamecocks were ranked for a school record 20 consecutive weeks during the 2013-14 season.

The equestrian team becomes South Carolina’s third program this season to earn a No. 1 ranking. The women’s golf team is currently ranked No. 1 and the women’s basketball team was ranked No. 1 earlier this season.

The Gamecocks have five teams ranked in the latest Top-10 – women’s golf (No. 1), equestrian (No. 1), women’s basketball (No. 3), men’s golf (No. 3), and women’s soccer (No. 8). South Carolina has had seven of its 21 teams ranked at one time during the 2014-15 academic year in the Top-10 in national polls (football, baseball, women’s basketball, women’s golf, men’s golf, women’s soccer and equestrian). Carolina has had 12 of its 21 teams ranked at one time in The Top 25 of national polls.

South Carolina (8-3, 4-2 SEC) moves up after the Gamecocks defeated then-No. 4 Auburn, 11-7, on Saturday. Carolina has swept the Tigers in the regular season for the second straight year.

The Gamecocks close out their regular season on Friday when they host No. 3 Baylor (11-2, 4-2 Big 12) at One Wood Farm in Blythewood. Friday’s meet will begin at 1 p.m. ET and admission is free.

2014-15 NCEA Rankings – March 3, 2015
1. South Carolina
2. Georgia
3. Baylor
4. TCU
5. Oklahoma State
6. Fresno State
7. Auburn
8. Texas A&M
9. Kansas State
10. SMU