Baylor
Fresno State
Baylor Equestrian Secures Eighth-Straight Willis Invitational Title
10/10/2015 12:00:00 AM | Equestrian
THE RUNDOWN
WACO, Texas -- The 3rd-ranked Baylor equestrian team secured an 11-3 win over No. 9 New Mexico State and a 9-6 win over No. 5 Fresno State to take home its eighth-consecutive Willis Invitational title Saturday at the Willis Family Equestrian Center.
BU and NMSU began its matchup Friday evening with Baylor leading 7-1 after equitation over flat and reining. On Saturday, NMSU managed a 2-1 win on equitation over fences to momentarily stay in the mix. Despite their efforts, the Aggies were unable to stop the Bears on horsemanship, and fell 3-0.
After securing the win over NMSU, BU went on to face 5th-ranked Fresno State. The Bears and Bulldogs broke even on hunter seat events, working to a 4-4 tie in the meet. On equitation, Fresno took the win, 3-1, and in fences Baylor got the edge, 3-1. It was the western team that secured Baylor's victory by winning horsemanship and reining, 3-1 and 2-1, respectively.
After falling against Baylor on Friday, UT-Martin (Tenn.) dropped round two against Fresno State, 12-3. The Skyhawks bounced back with a victory over NMSU, 11-4.
At the end of the tournament, Baylor swept the meet's head-to-head field, securing the first place finish.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Brittney Mirkov earned her first MOP of the season against New Mexico State University.
- Gabby Conte and Ginger Chant earned MOP honors against NMSU in fences and reining, respectively.
- Mary Brown earned MOP honors in horsemanship against NMSU and Fresno State.
- Savannah Jenkins won MOP's honors in BU's win over Fresno State in equitation.
STAT OF THE MEET
10 - Baylor not only won its eight-straight Willis Invitational, but the Bears earned 10 MOP honors Friday and Saturday in wins over UT Martin, New Mexico State and Fresno State.
TOP QUOTE
Baylor Head Coach Ellen White on earning the eight-straight Willis Invitational...
"The girls did a good job. We had some mistakes today that we normally do not make as a general rule. I was really proud of Kaylee Mellott, a freshman who stepped up as a MOP. We also had some horsemanship girls and took them to reining and stepped up and made it happen that way."
WHAT'S NEXT Baylor will travel to Springtown, Texas to open Big 12 play against conference opponent TCU on Friday, Oct. 23rd at the Horned Frog's Turning Point Ranch.
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