Senior Spotlights: Western
COLUMBIA, S.C. – This weekend we’re honoring our class of 2021 seniors, and ahead of that celebration after Saturday’s meet we wanted to highlight each of our seniors. Today we’re focusing on our six graduating western riders, with quotes from head coach Boo Major on each woman.
Gabby Brassard has led the way behind the scenes for the Gamecocks through her four years here and jumped into a starting position as a junior where she continued to shine. Gabby won a trio of meets as a junior, including one M.O.P. win and a win on the road at Georgia. She earned NCEA All-Academic First Team honors as a junior, and multiple NCEA Academic Honor Roll and SEC Academic Honor Roll distinctions in prior seasons on her way to graduating with a degree in experimental psychology in December of 2020. Brassard is now pursuing her master’s in business administration.
“Gabby has been a real treat to have as a member of our team. She is another one that goes with the flow and always strives to be better by being inquisitive but also extremely levelheaded. She takes everything in stride which is a trait I admire. Whether she is a starter in horsemanship at a competition or helping on the sidelines, she always gives 110 percent in the most positive way. Her success in the classroom is evident by her being able to graduate a semester early and going on into grad school. She is definitely one that lives life to the fullest and has used her time here wisely.”
Mira Clavecilla is exactly the kind of woman you want on your team. Sharp as a tack, Mira keeps all of her teammates on their toes and is always around to help bring out the best in everyone. A multi-time NCEA and SEC Academic Honor Roll honoree, Clavecilla is set to graduate with a degree in exercise science.
“Small in stature but mighty in her team dedication and leadership abilities, Mira is one we have all come to appreciate as one that gets the job done whether in the arena, in the barn or in the classroom. She is always the one with the logical comment and often comes up with ideas we have not thought of before. She has been an influence on the western side of things as to what a good teammate is and I appreciate all the effort she has put into being a Gamecock.”
Nikita Cope is another woman that’s made a huge impact on the team without appearing on the scoresheet that often. In addition to all the work she does behind the scenes prior to meets and the support she brings to her teammates, Nikita is the mastermind of the in-meet Instagram content, offering insight and access that no one else can. The NCEA and SEC Honor Roll honoree will graduate with a degree in tourism management.
“Nikita is a senior that came in as a very shy and quiet individual (or at least she appeared that way). She is a wonderful individual that sees the glass half full rather than half empty. As the equestrian social media queen, she has excelled in creating Instagram content at meets. It never ceases to amaze me the funny things she comes up with and she always makes me put a smile on my face with her words and actions. I also very much appreciate her honesty and willingness to do the right thing when trouble arises. I will definitely miss her quick wit and fun-loving personality.”
Addie Cromer’s impact on this team is hard to measure. A loyal Gamecock since birth, Addie was destined to wear the Garnet and Black and she’s savored every moment of that. In the ring she truly found her groove as a junior, notching four wins and one M.O.P. honor while still providing the same spark on the bench that she has through all four years here. The NCEA and SEC Honor Roll honoree will graduate with a degree in sport & entertainment management.
“I always love having a South Carolinian on our team but to also get a diehard Gamecock fan along with her palmetto state residency has been an extra bonus in having Addie as part of our team. Addie has worked with us as an intern in the office this year and I have really enjoyed getting to know her better through that experience. From the introduction of her chicken mask at meets to her true Gamecock spirit she will always have a special place in my heart as someone who really cared about her team and her university.”
McKenzie Duncan earned her spot as captain of the western team after a breakout junior campaign. Duncan started coming into her own as a sophomore where she notched four wins, but saved that explosion for her junior season where she earned NCEA First Team All-American honors after posting an 8-3-1 reining record with three M.O.P. wins. Duncan also earned NCEA All-Academic First Team honors in her junior season, and multiple other academic honors throughout her time as a Gamecock. Duncan is set to graduate with a degree in operations and supply chain.
“As captain of our western team, McKenzie has truly blossomed. She was so quiet and kind of shy as a freshman and I can honestly say she has matured into a real leader for our team. She has done a great job of handling herself and her teammates and is known as the “even keeled’ one. I am going to miss her honesty, her quiet demeanor (especially in an often-tumultuous time this season), and her always leading by example.”
Taylor Kellam got the chance to shine during her junior season and never looked back. After dropping her three meets as a sophomore, Kellam got the win in her season debut as a junior and kept that momentum rolling through the season, notching four wins and two M.O.P. honors. Taylor has continued to display her expertise as a senior, notching a pair of wins already this season. A NCEA All-Academic Second Team honoree as a junior, Kellam will graduate with a degree in public health.
“Taylor has really turned into a force to be reckoned with in horsemanship. She has gained more and more confidence throughout her four years here at Carolina and exhibits that confidence in the competition arena and when surrounded by teammates. Taylor is a quiet individual and one that leads by example. She is very goal driven and will not hesitate to speak up for herself when in a sticky situation. I admire her quiet demeanor and her evolution from a shy quiet individual that never questioned anything to someone that continues to strive to be better when competing and is willing to listen to information given to her and process it in the appropriate way. She has always seemed to be the ‘logical’ one in our group of seniors. We will definitely miss her leadership on the horsemanship side.”
