Equestrian Opens Inaugural Season
10/21/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Equestrian
Oct. 21, 2005
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin equestrian program will kick off its inaugural season as a varsity sport Saturday, when the team opens the 2005 campaign at Auburn. The Ladyjack riders will compete against the Tigers in a dual meet featuring both hunt seat and western equitation. The competition is set to kick off at 1 p.m. in Auburn, Ala.
"We're excited," SFA head coach Leigh Heusner said. "The girls have been working very hard. Everybody's ready to go. Auburn is a really good opponent for us to see, early on. They know how to do it the right way."
SFA will put 13 riders in the competition, nine of whom are classified as freshmen, according to NCAA eligibility regulations. Saturday's riders include: Alex Berry, Catherine Brennan, Monika Brindley, Alex Fincher, Lindsey Gaston, Rebecca Harrison, Kayla Krambeck, Jenny Martin, Kenna McInerny, Jamie Melgares, Kristine Rice, Heather Sowers and Paige Wiley.
"These girls all have really good attitudes," Heusner said. "They seem hungry to get out there and compete and to do well."
Heusner said that, despite her squad's inexperience at the collegiate level, she expects a quality outing.
"I really feel like we have an opportunity to be competitive," the coach said. "I've seen the Auburn team before. They're tough, but I don't feel like we're any less tough. It's definitely going to be a great learning experience. The Auburn coach is a really big advocate for our sport in the NCAA format, so he wants to help us as much as he can. We'll get a good chance to experience the format. But I also want us to jump in there and try to win, too."
-- SFA --
