Oct. 13, 2014

COLUMBIA, S.C. – University of South Carolina senior Sam Chiodo has been named AgSouth Athlete of the Week, it was announced Monday.

In Friday’s 10-9 upset win at No. 3 Auburn, Chiodo won a critical point for the Gamecocks (1-2, 1-1 SEC). Trailing 5-4, she posted an event-high score (74.5) in horsemanship win her point and tie the meet at 5-5, earning Chiodo her second Most Outstanding Player award of the season. The Gamecocks took the lead shortly thereafter and held on to beat the Tigers for their first win of season.

Chiodo, a native of Mount Pleasant, Mich., is 3-0 for the Gamecocks this season with two M.O.P. honors. All three of her scores this season are the Gamecocks’ top-3 horsemanship scores.

Chiodo is now eligible to win the AgSouth Female Athlete of the Year award. The last four winners have all come from the equestrian team. Former Gamecock Kimberly McCormack won the award in 2011 and 2013, while Katherine Schmidt won it in 2012 and 2014. Voting will take place in late April, and the male and female AgSouth Athletes of the Year will be recognized at a home baseball game.

The equestrian team returns to action on Friday, Oct. 31 when the Gamecocks host Texas A&M at One Wood Farm in Blythewood.