Fresno State Athletics
Hubbard, Bulldogs Reflect on Success of Season
4/21/2015 12:00:00 AM | Equestrian
By Jillian Bertolucci
jillbertolucci@gmail.com
GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif.--The Fresno State equestrian team wrapped up a successful season marked by strong team wins, All-America accolades, a quarterfinal appearance at Nationals and a newly named head coach.
The Bulldogs began the 2014-15 season unranked. They went 2-0 at their season opener at the Willis Invitational in Waco, Texas. The `Dogs defeated then-No. 10 ranked SMU, 7-6, and Tennessee-Martin, 8-6. The `Dogs fell to the home team, Baylor, 10-6. After the tournament, Fresno State moved into the rankings for the first time this season at No. 9.
Two players earned honors from this competition. Sophomore Taylor Brown and freshman Rachel Williams earned the National Collegiate Equestrian Association Rider of the Month awards for the month of September. Brown earned the award for reining and Williams earned the award for horsemanship. Both riders went undefeated at the Willis Invitational. Brown earned the United Equestrian Association Rider of the Month Award, too. Additionally, senior Randi Pomrehn earned the award for equitation on the flat. Pomrehn went 2-0-1 at the tournament, earning her first collegiate points.
Fresno State hit a rough patch midseason. In October, the team traveled to Las Cruces, N.M. where it fell to fellow conference-members New Mexico State, 10-8, and UTM, 8-6, falling out of the rankings.
The `Dogs fought hard, but ultimately lost their home opener against the recently-crowned National Champion South Carolina, 13-6.
With hard work and focus, Fresno State staged a comeback in November with a double-upset at home. It defeated then No. 4-ranked Kansas State, 12-8, and then No. 6-ranked Auburn, 9-8. These wins proved enough to reenter the rankings at No. 7.
"This year has been a great year, and no one can say it has been easy," newly-named head coach Eric Hubbard said. "This team started strong and hit a rough spell, but did not give up and came back swinging to beat two teams ranked in the top 10 in the same weekend."
Sophomore Taylor Dixon was crowned the UEC Horsemanship Rider of the Month for November. She went undefeated in the tournament at home, earned a Most Outstanding Player award for her ride against Kansas State, and had a personal-best ride.
After winter break, the `Dogs capitalized on the momentum from the previous tournament when they returned in February, shutting out conference-members South Dakota State, 10-6, and Minnesota-Crookston, 11-4, in Brookings, S.D.
Senior Kirsten McKillop was then awarded the UEC Reining Rider of the Month Award for going undefeated in the tournament.
Back in the home arena in March, the `Dogs hosted then fourth-ranked Texas Christian, and No. 2 Georgia. Fresno State fell to the fellow Bulldogs, 14-6. In a nail-biting match against TCU, Fresno State came out on top in the tiebreaker, which was determined by raw score, 1,576.75-1,570.75. This win allowed Fresno State to climb two spots in the ranking to No. 5.
The `Dogs earned the first seed for the UEC Conference Championship, hosted at the Student Horse Center. They came out on top, defeating both South Dakota State, 12-3, and SMU, 12-4. They were crowned Conference Champions, and Athletic director Jim Bartko and Associate Athletic Director John Kriebs presented the team awards.
Williams earned the UEC Horsemanship Rider of the Year award. Additionally, the nine seniors were honored, including Gianna Armanino, Linne' Beason, Bryn Boyett, Ciara Kozlowski, Kirsten McKillop, Brigid O'Leary, Randi Pomrehn, Amanda Postel and Kara Spicer.
"After winning the UEC Conference Championship in such a way, the rest of the country had to take notice and realize that we are supposed to be in the mix," Hubbard said.
After the tournament, Pomrehn and Brown were again honored with the UEC Rider of the Month awards. The riders both went 4-0 for the month of March.
The NCEA announced its All-Americans, and both Brown and Williams were honored. Brown was honored as a second-team All-American for horsemanship. It was Brown's second consecutive season that she has garnered All-America accolades, as she was a first team selection in reining last year. Following in Brown's footsteps, Williams was named to the honorable mention team.
Additionally, twelve Bulldogs were honored on the NCEA Academic All-America teams. Junior Sydney Elliot was honored on the Bevel Saddlery Academic first-team. Seniors Brigid O'Leary and McKillop earned spots on the Bevel Saddlery Academic second-team. Brown and senior Kara Spicer were Bevel Saddlery honorable mention honorees. Lastly, Junior Allie Tamouzian, sophomore Savannah Bernard, and seniors Gianna Armanino, Randi Pomrehn, Linne' Beason,Bryn Boyett and Amanda Postel earned spots on the La Hacienda Academic Honor Roll.
Fresno State entered the NCEA Championship, which took place in Waco, Texas on April 16-18, as the sixth seed. The team defeated New Mexico State in a come-from-behind victory in the first round, 8-7, advancing to the quarterfinals. They finished their season with a tough fight in the quarterfinals, falling to the eventual national champions Southern Carolina, 12-4.
"I hate to see the season end, as it has been one of the best the team has had," Hubbard said. "We fell short in some areas, but we did not go down without taking chances, and I am very proud of that because we have been in that situation before and were very tentative. We fought until the end and will use that fight to have an even better year next year."
The Bulldogs wrapped up the season with a big announcement. Hubbard has officially been hired as the head coach, Fresno State announced Monday. Hubbard, who began as the western coach in 2013, has been working as the interim head coach since December 2014.
Losing the nine seniors, Hubbard has no doubt that the younger riders will continue in their successful footsteps.
"This team is young, and I am looking forward to more success from them," he said. "They are some of the hardest working athletes I have had the pleasure of working with. They have been put in pressure situations throughout the year and have gained a lot of experience. I can't wait to see what the future holds for them and our program."
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