McKenzie Lantz - Equestrian Coach

McKenzie Lantz

Title:
Assistant Western Coach
Email:
mlantz@csufresno.edu

Head coach Eric Hubbard added McKenzie Lantz to his coaching staff on Sept. 10, 2015, as the Western assistant coach.

In her second season in 2016-17, the team went 9-8 (4-1 UEC) and won the consolation finals in the UEC postseason tournament and reached the second round of the NCEA National Championship tournament for the second time. During the season, the Bulldogs took down two No.1-ranked teams for the first time in program history and were ranked as high as No. 5 nationally.

Senior western rider Taylor Brown was named NCEA first-team All-America in Reining for the third time and NCEA second-team All-America in Horsemanship for the second time, while junior Rachel Williams earned an NCEA second-team All-America selection in Horsemanship, her second NCEA yearly honor. Brown was also named the UEC Reining Rider of the Year and UEC Horsemanship Rider of the Year, while freshman Shea Gilson was chosen as the UEC Freshman Reining Rider of the Year. During the season, a Bulldog was named NCEA Rider of the Month four times and UEC Rider of the Month seven times, both program records.

Throughout the 2016-17 season, Horsemanship was the strongest event for the Bulldogs, going 41-24-8 in competitions. In Reining, the 'Dogs went 32-41-3 and Fresno State was 32-41-1 in Equitation Over Fences and 31-39-6 in Equitation on the Flat.

In her first season in 2015-16, the team went 4-10 (4-2 UEC) and fell in the first round of the NCEA National Championship tournament. Junior western rider Taylor Brown was named NCEA first-team All-America in Reining, sophomore Sierra Swaffar earned an NCEA first-team All-America selection in Equitation on the Flat, and sophomore Taylor Dixon was chosen for the NCEA All-America Second Team for her performances in Horsemanship. UEC Riders of the Year included Brown for Reining, Swaffar for Equitation on the Flat and Dixon for Horsemanship. Taeya Harle was named UEC Freshman Rider of the Year for Horsemanship. During the season, a Bulldog was named NCEA Rider of the Month three times and UEC Rider of the Month four times.

Lantz brings a wealth of knowledge to the team as a graduate from Georgia in December 2014. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in education with an emphasis in sports management while earning SEC Honor Roll, first-team All-American Academic honors (2014) and was a two-time Dean's List recipient (2013, 2014).

The two-time NCEA All-American and SEC Rider of the Year was appointed to the Non-Pro National Reining Horses Association committee and has established beneficial contacts in both the NRHA and American Quarter Horse Association. As a team captain, her collegiate career was highlighted with a National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) Rider of the Year accolade, along with being named a two-time UGA Western Most Valuable Player and a National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity Finalist.

Eager to contribute her extensive background in the western equine industry, the Fremont, Mich., native acted as a volunteer temporary coach at her alma mater, where she gained valuable experience in strategic development and team management.