Bulldogs advance to NCEA quarterfinals with 10-5 win over NMSU

Thursday, April 13

Waco, Texas

7 a.m. PT

Fresno State

No. 10 seed New Mexico State

Bulldogs advance to NCEA quarterfinals with 10-5 win over NMSU

4/13/2017 4:09:00 PM | Equestrian

Seventh-seeded Fresno State will face second-seeded Georgia at 7 a.m. PT on Friday

By: Jason Kelm / Communications Assistant

WACO, Texas – The seventh-seeded Fresno State equestrian team defeated 10th-seeded New Mexico State 10-5 in the first round of the NCEA Championships on Thursday at the Extraco Events Center in Waco, Texas. The Bulldogs will face second-seeded Georgia on Friday at 7 a.m. PT in the quarterfinals.

The 'Dogs and Aggies began the competition with equitation over fences, with each team earning two points. Sophomore Alexandra Dirickson scored a team-best 160 points in the event and freshman Natalie Wendt scored 152 to garner the first two points of the day for the 'Dogs.

Fresno State took control of the meet and increased its lead to 5-2 following reining, in which All-American senior Taylor Brown (134) and freshmen Paige Barton (137.5) and Shea Gilson (135.5) all notched points for the Bulldogs. Junior Taylor Dixon (135.5) tied in the event and kept New Mexico State from earning a point.

The 'Dogs and Aggies each recorded two points in equitation on the flat as junior Sierra Swaffar (119) and freshman Maddy Keck (118) earned the Bulldogs' points to round out hunt seat competition.

Fresno State pulled away when it came time for horsemanship as Brown (142.5), Dixon (142) and All-American junior Rachel Williams (143.5) sealed points and pushed the Bulldogs to a 10-5 victory.

The 'Dogs are now slated to face second-seeded Georgia, whom Fresno State fell to 11-8 on March 3 in Fresno.

First Round Results
No. 5 Texas A&M (9) def. No. 12 Delaware State (2)
No. 6 South Carolina (15) def. No. 11 South Dakota State (1)
No. 7 Fresno State (10) def. No. 10 New Mexico State (5)
No. 9 TCU (6) def. No. 8 SMU (5)

FS vs. NMSU Results
Equitation on the Flat
Remington Willkie (152) def. Alexandra Dirickson (145)
Maddy Keck (118) def. Karianna Knezevich (115)
Sierra Swaffar (119) def. Grace McMurry (101)
Madison Brayman (175) def. Kylina Chalack (157)

Equitation Over Fences
Karianna Knezevich (162) def. Kylina Chalack (152)
Natalie Wendt (152) def. Samantha Perlman (136)
Madison Brayman (167) def. Maddy Keck (147)
Alexandra Dirickson (160) def. Erica Rosinski (157)

Horsemanship
Rachel Williams (143.5) def. Morgan Matzdorff (134.5)
Taylor Brown (142.5) def. Hallie Padilla (137)
Haylee Schoonover (143.5) def. Taeya Harle (135)
Taylor Dixon (142) def. Katlynn Crine (140)

Reining
Shea Gilson (135.5) def. Kimmy Ferrante (133.5)
Taylor Dixon (135.5) tied Katherine Arnold (135.5)
Taylor Brown (134) def. Allison Nordvall (131)
Paige Barton (137.5) def. Kiley Newkirk (136.5)

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