Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
South Carolina
Seniors Say Farewell
2/28/2009 12:00:00 AM | Equestrian
Feb. 28, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - The much anticipated match between two Top 10 ranked teams came down to the wire.
No. 5 South Carolina edged No. 9 Fresno State in the final home match of the season for the Bulldogs Saturday afternoon at the Student Horse Center. The final score wasn't decided until the final ride of the day, as the score was tied 8-8 with one match to go.
For the Bulldogs, it was a bitter-sweet ending.
Fresno State said good-bye to eight outstanding seniors, who made their final home appearances in the meet. Those seniors competing for the last time were: Kelsey Bullock, Brooke Cranston, Rebecca Flood, Haley Henderson, Cambria Kissell, Katie Nenneker, Katy Sellers, and Kaley Dela Rosa.
Losing such a heart-breaking match to the Gamecocks was a bitter pill to swallow.
"It's hard to lose," said Dr. Becky Malmo, Fresno State's head coach. "Even losing to a team ranked higher than we are. But I continue to see improvement. There were some really good rides out there today and we lost some close matches. As much as I don't like not winning, I'm not completely disappointed. We continue to see progress and improvement as the season progresses."
The day started with Equitation over Fences and that match ended in a 2-2 tied, with one draw. Earning wins for the Dogs were senior Katie Nenneker and freshman Casey Jo McDonald.
Nenneker had a score of 78 on Leo, edging Lindsay Pace, who scored a 76. Nenneker, in her final home match, has been recognized as one of the top student-athletes on the Fresno State campus.
McDonald rode Scout to a 62, easily defeating South Carolina's Megan Massaro who had a 40.
Bulldog senior Cambria Kissell scored a 77 to tie her match with USC's Eleanor Kunsman. Kissell continues to be one of Fresno State's top riders this season and has scored at least a 77 in each of her last six rides.
Fresno State's Western Horsemanship team, led by senior Rebecca Flood, defeated the Gamecocks 3-2. Flood scored a 76 on Ryon in her final home ride as a Bulldog.
Teammate Adriane Smith, who also scored a 76, won her match beating USC's Amy Biffle.
Kelsi Fischer had a 75 to defeat Hailey Thornton. Allison Warkentin and Sammi Jo Stone each lost close rides. Warkentin scored a 72.5 to lose to Emily Wookwalter by one-half a point.
On the Flat, USC edged the Dogs 3-2. Fresno State's dynamic freshman duo of Kimberly Steinbuck and Kimberly Hewson Budnik earned wins.
Steinbuch had a team-high score of 57. Caitlyn Marshall also rode to a score of 57 but lost her match by one point to South Carolina's Victoria Middleton.
Fresno State's Jill Tebbe won MVP honors in Reining, but the Gamecocks won three of the five matches in that event to break a tie and earn an overall team victory 9-8.
Tebbe scored a 73 on Twister, defeating Chloe Gray, for her first MVP award of the season.
"It was great for Jill to win MVP," said Malmo. "She has been getting better each time out and it's good to see her hard work payoff."
Keri Blackledge earned Fresno State's other victory in Reining with a 71 on J.R., edging Hailey Thornton by one-half a point.
The teams were even in Western events, each winning five matches. The Gamecocks won five English matches, with the Dogs winning four and there was one tie.
Several special guests attended today's event, including Fresno State mascot TimeOut, who rode in on a horse and presented the seniors with roses.
In addition, University President Dr. John Welty, members of his administration, head football coach Pat Hill and members of his coaching staff all came to support the Bulldogs.
"It was great to honor the seniors today," Malmo said. "To have TimeOut ride a horse was the coolest thing ever. It was a very special moment for the seniors. We are thankful to the Saddle Club and all of the parents who worked hard to make this a special day."
"Join the State - Fresno State!" -Fresno State will take to the road March 7 in a match against the University of Tennessee-Martin.
Players Mentioned
