Aggies celebrate 2015-16 season at annual banquet

COLLEGE STATION – The Texas A&M equestrian team celebrated its 2015-16 season at the annual banquet Friday at the All-American Club in Kyle Field.
 
Head coach Tana McKay and staff honored those who earned academic and athletic achievements throughout the year, while members of the team voted on the yearly awards.
 
Hannah Jechow received the Iron Horse Award, which is given to the team member who has shown the most dedication and improvement in the weight room.
 
Rachael Hake was awarded with Most Improved as the sophomore from Washington, Mich., finished the season with a 9-6-1 record in Equitation over Fences. Hake earned MOP honors against Auburn, at Delaware State and at home against SMU.
 
Rookie of the Year was given to Rebekah Chenelle, who compiled an 8-8 record in Fences and a 4-1 record in Equitation on the Flat. Chenelle picked up a win in Flat at the SEC Championships and NCEA Championships and recorded two wins in Fences at the NCEA Championships.
 
Marlena Parker was named MOP in Equitation over Fences after finishing the campaign with a team-best 10-6-1 record. Parker won all three of her points at the NCEA Championships and had an average score of 78.5 on the season.
 
MOP in Horsemanship was given to Avery Ellis, who led the Aggies with 12 wins. The College Station native was named MOP against Georgia on January 30 and won both points at the SEC Championships and went 2-1 at the NCEA Championships.
 
Alex Desiderio was awarded with MOP in Equitation on the Flat with a team-high nine wins. Desiderio earned back-to-back MOP honors against South Carolina and Oklahoma State in February and was 2-1 at the NCEA Championships.
 
Logan Pluhar was bestowed with MOP in Reining following a 13-4-1 season. Pluhar was named MOP in both regular season meets against South Carolina and against Oklahoma State and was undefeated at the SEC Championships.
 
The final award of the night, the Aggie Heart Award, was presented to Annie Sloop. The Aggie Heart Award is given to the team member that best exemplifies what it means to be an Aggie, always puts the team's needs ahead of her own while setting a positive example both in and out of the arena and strives to push others to be the best.
 
To learn more about the Aggie equestrian team, log onto 12thman.com or follow @AggieEquestrian on Twitter.