Fresno State Athletics
Dogs Open Season in SEC Country
9/17/2008 12:00:00 AM | Equestrian
Sept. 17, 2008
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State will open the 2008-09 season against two of the top programs in the nation, both schools from the Southeastern Conference. The Dogs are at Auburn and Georgia this weekend, teams that finished in the Top Three of the 2008 VENC event. Georgia is the defending national champion team overall, while Auburn won the English team title and finished third overall.
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About the Tigers
Auburn, which competed at Fresno State last year, is the defending national champion English team. The Tigers beat Texas A&M in the Varsity Equestrian National Championships 5-2 to capture the national title. Coached by Greg Williams, Auburn won the 2006 overall national VEC championship. This the home opening event for Auburn.
About Georgia
The defending national VEC team champions from Georgia look to open defense of their national title this week. Like Auburn, Georgia opens its season at home this weekend hosting Kansas State and Fresno State. Fresno State and Georgia have not met since the 2006 season. Coach Meghan Boenig has led Georgia to three national team championships in her six years at the helm of the program, including an easy win last spring in Waco, Texas. The Dawgs will come to Fresno State February 7-8.
Malmo Moment
Quotes from head coach Becky Malmo, who is in her fifth year as Fresno State's head coach: "Lisa Wells has come back very strong, as has Cambria Kissell. (Katie) Nenneker is always a steady performer. Keri Blackledge is expected to lead the reining team, followed closely by transfer Haley Henderson. Kelsey Bullock and Tarynn Shada look great on the flat, and freshman Kim Hewson Budnik may turn out to be quite strong as well. We are also competing. Sophomore Emily McNeil for the first time. The horsemanship team is led by Adrian Smith, with transfer Madison Silver looking very strong as well. Rebecca Flood continues to be a strong contributor, leading by example of her outstanding work ethic. We are also looking forward to seeing how freshman Casey Jo McDonald and Allison Warkentin do on the road."
About the Student Horse Center
Fresno State's home events are held on campus at the Student Horse Center, located at the southeast corner of Barstow and Woodrow Avenues. Should inclement weather force the events indoors, the Fresno State Pavilion, located north of Barstow street at the same intersection, may be used. The Student Horse Center offers two rings with ample fan seating to view both arenas simultaneously.
About Last Year
Both the English and Western teams were ranked in the nation's Top 12 last season, advancing to the Varsity Equestrian National Championships in Waco, Texas. Bulldog Lisa Wells competed in Equitation over Fences at the VENC and was ranked No. 3 in the nation.
Captains Choice
For the second straight year, Fresno State will see leadership come from two outstanding performers, Katie Nenneker and Rebecca Flood. Both were selected team captains last season. Joining Nenneker and Flood as 2008-09 team captains are Keri Blackledge and Kelsey Bullock.
Nenneker Tabbed Bulldog Award Winner
For the first time, Fresno State presented an inaugural award called the "Bulldog of the Year" Award during the 2007-08 year. The award honored those truly special championship individuals whose commitment to Fresno State is all areas set the standard for the true Bulldog experience. The individuals were selected because their athletic accomplishments, academic triumphs and community service work stood above all others. The first winners were football player Clint Stitser and equestrian rider Katie Nenneker. She led the Bulldog English team to a Top 10 national ranking each of the last two seasons and was selected the Most Valuable Rider at two events during the last two years. At the National Championships she guided the eighth-ranked Bulldogs to an opening round victory. While serving her team and community, Katie has been an active member of SAAC, done community service work at Children's Hospital Central California, Big Heroes Little Heroes, ReadFresno and Relay for Life. A championship student, she plans to attend veterinary school upon graduation.
Join the State - Fresno State! Fresno State hosts its first home event of the season Oct. 25 against Oklahoma State at the Student Horse Center. Admission is free.
