No. 5 Texas A&M advances to NCEA Championship semifinals

WACO, Texas – No. 5 Texas A&M equestrian advanced to the NCEA Championship semifinals with an 11-5 victory over No. 4 Oklahoma State, Friday, at the Extraco Events Center.
 
"I am very happy with another great team effort today," head coach Tana McKay said. "We are looking forward to taking some momentum into tomorrow."
 
The Aggies (11-6) and Cowgirls tied in Reining, 2-2, in the meet's first event. Junior Sarah Kate Grider earned the first point, edging out Ebba Lange, 139.5-138.5, and senior Logan Pluhar defeated Justine Peters, 131.5-131.
 
A&M took a 5-3 lead at the break after winning Equitation on the Flat, 3-1. Senior Hannah Williams topped Maggie Drysch, 171-151, before sophomore Alex Desiderio beat Jorden Davis, 150-131. Senior Marlena Parker closed the event with a 153-138 victory over Kendall Pedico.
 
In Horsemanship, sophomore Avery Ellis knocked off Miranda Reed, 147-144.5, prior to senior Carolyn Day defeating Libby Collins, 152-143. Junior Kaci Fisher gave the Aggies an 8-4 advantage with her 149.5-116 victory over Paris Nottingham.
 
The Aggies capped off the meet, winning Equitation over Fences, 3-1. Sophomore Rachael Hake defeated Carly Barrick, 164-155, before freshman Rebekah Chenelle topped Maggie Drysch, 160-98. Parker scored a 157, bettering Davis' 155 to give A&M its 11^th point.
 
The Aggies will face top-seeded Auburn on Saturday beginning at 8:30 a.m. Live scoring and streaming of the event can be seen online at www.BaylorBears.com.
 
To learn more about the Aggie equestrian team, log onto 12thman.com or follow @AggieEquestrian on Twitter.