Gamecock Western Pair Named SEC Riders of the Month
Nov. 2, 2016
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COLUMBIA, S.C. – University of South Carolina equestrian student-athletes Paige Stopperich and Raegan Renfroe were honored as SEC Riders of the Month for October, the league office announced Wednesday. Both Stopperich and Renfroe are first-time monthly winners.
Stopperich was honored as SEC Rider of the Month in horsemanship after winning both of her competitions last month. The junior earned her first career M.O.P. honor and her first collegiate victory on Oct. 9 against No. 2 Georgia in a 74.5-74 victory that was vital in a 9-8 Carolina win. In the team’s next meet, Oct. 21 against No. 10 New Mexico State, the Pittsburgh, Pa., native grabbed a 73.5-71 victory and finished with the highest score of any competitor on the day.
Renfroe is the league’s top rider in reining and also went 2-0 last month. The Milledgeville, Ga., product made her official collegiate debut in the Georgia match and left with M.O.P. honors after scoring a 70.5-69.5 victory. In the New Mexico State meet, an 11-8 Gamecock victory, she secured her point with a 62-0 triumph.
Counting Stopperich and Thiel, Carolina now has four SEC Rider of the Month winners this season. Junior Madison Butehorn was the equitation over fences conference winner in September, and sophomore Madison Thiel won last month in reining. Overall, the Gamecocks have collected 23 SEC monthly awards since 2012.
For the season, Stopperich sports a 2-1-1 horsemanship record, and Renfroe is 2-0 in reining.
UP NEXT FOR THE GAMECOCKS
Ranked sixth in the latest NCEA national poll, the Gamecocks (3-1, 1-1 SEC) face No. 9 Fresno State Friday at 10 a.m. PT (1 p.m. ET) in Fresno, Calif.
