April 15, 2015
The University of South Carolina led the nation with nine riders earning spots on the Beval Saddlery Academic First Team, the NCEA announced Wednesday.
WACO, Texas – The University of South Carolina equestrian team leads the nation this year with nine Beval Saddlery Academic First Team selections, it was announced Wednesday by the National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA). The Gamecocks also led the SEC with 21 student-athletes earning spots on the La Hacienda Academic Honor Roll.
“As exciting as this news certainly is, it doesn’t come as a surprise,” South Carolina head coach Boo Major said. “Our girls take their academics seriously and understand how important it is to make the most out of being a student-athlete here at South Carolina. Our academic success would not be possible without the support of Maria Hickman, Rob Campbell and all of the staff that work in the Dodie Academic Enrichment Center. We have the best academic support folks in the country, and it shows year in and year out when South Carolina leads the SEC in just about every academic honor roll. I’m really proud of all of our academic honorees this year and we feel good knowing that they’ll leave here and continue to be leaders in their professions.”
The nine Gamecocks who earned spots on the Beval Saddlery Academic First Team this year are Courtney Allen, Alexa Anthony, Sarah Bouchard, Amber Henter, Samantha Kraus, Bailey Mierzejewski, Adele Norton, Katherine Schmidt, and Sydney Smith.
Senior Sam Chiodo and junior Abigail Pait were both named to the Beval Saddlery Academic Second Team.
South Carolina had a total of 21 riders earn spots on the La Hacienda Academic Honor Roll, which led all SEC schools for the 2014-15 year.
Number of Academic First Team selections
9 – South Carolina
8 – New Mexico State
5 – Auburn
5 – Georgia
5 – Oklahoma State
5 – Texas Christian
4 – Kansas State
4 – Texas A&M
4 – Southern Methodist
3 – Baylor
2 – Delaware State
2 – Sacred Heart
2 – Tennessee-Martin
1 – Fresno State
1 – South Dakota State
Number of Honor Roll selections (SEC schools)
21 – South Carolina
19 – Georgia
12 – Auburn
6 – Texas A&M
Beval Saddlery Academic First Team
Courtney Allen
Alexa Anthony
Sarah Bouchard
Amber Henter
Samantha Kraus
Bailey Mierzejewski
Adele Norton
Katherine Schmidt
Sydney Smith
Beval Saddlery Academic Second Team
Sam Chiodo
Abigail Pait
La Hacienda Academic Honor Roll
Bailey Mierzejewski
Melanie Cormier
Adele Norton
Alexa Anthony
Sydney Smith
Samantha Kraus
Kelsey Urban
Haiden De Jane
Ashley Reichert
Madeline Valenzuela
Amber Henter
Courtney Allen
Lindsey Slack
Sarah Bouchard
Elizabeth deGolian
Katherine Schmidt
Abigail Pait
Makayla Clegg
Sam Chiodo
Erin Fry
Kelsey Hart
The criteria for the awards is listed below:
Beval Saddlery Academic First Team
· Must have competed in a minimum of 70 percent of their school’s meets, not including demo or exhibition rides.
· Earned a cumulative GPA of 3.5 while maintaining full-time enrollment in the previous spring and fall semesters, respectively.
Beval Saddlery Academic Second Team
· Must have competed in a minimum of 60 percent of their school’s meets, not including demo or exhibition rides.
· Earned a cumulative GPA of 3.25 while maintaining full-time enrollment in the previous spring and fall semesters, respectively.
Beval Saddlery Honorable Mention Academic Team
· Must have competed in a minimum of 50 percent of their school’s meets, not including demo or exhibition rides.
· Earned a cumulative GPA of 3.0 while maintaining full-time enrollment in the previous spring and fall semesters, respectively.
La Hacienda Academic Honor Roll
· The top academic student athletes who have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.25 while maintaining full time enrollment in the previous spring and fall semesters respectively.
