March 28, 2009
BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. – Fourth-ranked South Carolina concluded the spring season with an undefeated record as the equestrian team defeated Delaware State 17-2 on a rainy senior day at One Wood Farm. The Gamecocks swept MVP honors with junior Megan Massaro taking honors in equitation on the flat and equitation over fences, senior Rebekah Roof earning MVP honors in reining and senior Katie Grossnickle earning honors in horsemanship.
The Gamecocks won seven straight meets in the spring season and finish their season with an 8-4 record overall. The Hunter Seat team won 8-1 while the Western team won 9-1, with only one tie recorded during the day.
“Considering the weather, we were lucky to get the competition in,” South Carolina head coach Boo Major said. “We really prepared the girls to be flexible, and they did a good job adjusting. They all kept their composure. Kudos to Megan Massaro for getting double MVP honors in Hunter Seat. It was also good for Katie Grossnickle and Rebekah Roof to earn MVP honors as seniors. All of our seniors rode well today. It was a great end to the season. We’re looking forward to going to Georgia and competing in the Southern Equestrian Championships next weekend.”
The Hunter Seat team won 8-1 after claiming four points in both equitation on the flat and over fences. Massaro earned her MVP ride on the flat with an 82-76 victory to improve to 9-1-1 on the year in the event. Junior Carly Babcock concluded a breakout junior season with an 80-74 win to finish the year with an undefeated record at 8-0-2. Sophomore Victoria Middleton won her eighth ride of the season at 80-63 while freshman Colvin Hedgepeth registered an 80-74 victory to round out the points on the flat. Senior Sarah Stephens tied Delaware State’s Ashley Butler for high score honors as the two tied 83-83.
In equitation over fences, Massaro earned her fifth MVP honor of the year in the event with a high score of 83. Freshman Rachel Koggan won 79-72, and junior Nicole Bourgeois recorded a 75-68 victory. Senior Courtney Reese registered the final victory in Hunter Seat with a 78-point ride.
The Western team won 9-1 courtesy of a 4-1 win in horsemanship and 5-0 sweep in reining. In horsemanship, Grossnickle earned her fourth MVP honor of the year and ninth win with a 72-67 victory. Stacy Cell then became the next senior to get a win with a 71-67.5 ride against Amanda Hotz. Junior Emily Bookwalter took a 72-70 win and freshman Maggie Fortune rounded out the horsemanship scoring with a 72.5-67.5 win.
Carolina swept reining as senior Rebekah Roof took MVP honors in a 73-66 win. Sister Lydia Roof took a 70-62.5 victory, and Hailey Thornton registered a 67-61 win. Sophomore Chloe Gray and junior Amy Biffle both earned victories after disqualifications from their competitors. Gray rode to a score of 69 while Biffle earned a 63.5 to round out the scoring.
Carolina will return to action next week when the team competes at the Southern Equestrian Championships in Athens, Ga. Third-seeded South Carolina will face second-seeded Georgia on Friday, April 3 with the winner facing top-seeded Auburn on Saturday.
