March 29, 2008
The top-seeded Texas A&M equestrian team dropped a 10-6 decision to fourth-seeded Baylor in the semifinal round of the Central Championships at Fox Creek Farm on Saturday.
The Aggies fell behind 4-0 after the fences competition and spent the rest of the day trying to play catch-up. A&M did squeak out the tightest of wins in western riding, a 489.5-488.5 tiebreaker win after locking up with the Bears at four wins each. The hunter seat squad earned a split on the flat but fell over all 6-2.
?We had a tough day today,? A&M head coach Tana Rawson. ?We?â„¢re a lot better than we showed today and we look forward to getting things turned around tomorrow. That said, we did have some individuals make good things happen and we?â„¢re proud of what they contributed to us today.?
Sophomore Caroline Gunn (Greensburg, Ind.) turned in the top individual performance of the day, scoring a day-high 77 points in a five-point horsemanship win over the Bears?â„¢ Allison Orosz. Freshman Randi Standley (Madisonville) earned the Aggies?â„¢ other horsemanship win, a 69.5-67 victory over Ashleigh Carlson.
Junior Tonna Brooks (Newberg, Ore.) turned in a team-best reining score of 71 in a three-point win over Katrina Buss. Junior Genna Fishgold (Scottsdale, Ariz.) claimed the Aggie?â„¢ fourth and final western win, a 68-66 win over Lindsey Tomko.
Senior Lindsey Lawrence (College Station) turned in A&M?â„¢s top hunter seat performance, defeating one of the top four seeds in next month?â„¢s individual national championship tournament. Lawrence turned back the Bears?â„¢ Nicole Brown, 68-65, in equitation on the flat. Sophomore Christina Heine (Toledo, Ohio) earned the Aggies?â„¢ second and final hunter seat win, a 64-59 victory over Cara Wilson.
The Aggies will face host Kansas State, who lost an 8-7 decision to second-seeded Oklahoma State, in the bronze medal match on Sunday while the Bears will face OSU in the championship final. Both matches will start at 9 a.m.