Megan Overberg and Maddie Anger Named SEC Equestrian Scholar-Athletes of the Year

SC Equestrian

BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. — A valiant comeback fell just short for the University of South Carolina equestrian team as the Gamecocks were topped by Texas A&M, 10-9, Saturday in the 2018 SEC Championship consolation match.

 Texas A&M improves to 11-6 on the season. The Gamecocks are now 4-10.

After the match, Carolina senior Megan Overberg was honored as SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year along with Georgia’s Madison Anger. A native of Hillsboro, Ohio, Overberg has a 3.912 GPA as an exercise science major. She’s a former NCEA Scholar-Athlete and SEC Academic Honor Roll selection. A President’s List and Dean’s List member, Overberg plans to pursue a master’s degree in ophthalmology after graduating from Carolina.

The Gamecocks placed two student-athletes on the SEC Championship All-Tournament Team. Overberg won the award for horsemanship, while Bailey Walters was one of four reiners honored for their efforts this week.

Two Gamecocks earned MOP laurels on Saturday. Lizzie van der Walde was named the top rider in equitation over fences, while Paisley Roberts earned the award in reining.

A pair of Carolina riders were victorious in horsemanship. Overberg earned a 152-150 win over Ashley Davidson on Chuck, and Caroline Gute dropped Sarah Orsak on Rodney, 149.5-147.5

Carolina grabbed two more points in equitation over fences. Riding Constantine, van der Walde defeated Rhian Murphy, 168-164, while Chloe Schmidt rode Jake past Rachael Hake, 156-153. At halftime, the Aggies held a 6-4 lead.

The Gamecocks took the lead by winning four points in reining. Roberts earned MOP with a 144-136.5 win over Ashton Dunkel on Banjo, and Gute grabbed a second point by defeating Haley Franc on Buddy, 136-105.5. Walters dropped Madison Bohman on Odie, 143-141.5, and Jordan Scott was a 141-140 winner on Tina over Kalee McCann.

But the Aggies rode to the win by taking three points in equitation on the flat. There was one tie, with Madison Brayman and Rachael Hake each scoring 150 on Sully. The Gamecock point came from Chloe Schmidt, a 152-139 winner on Swag over Rebekah Chenelle.

NOTABLE

• Walters is now 5-1 all-time in SEC Championship competition.

• Roberts earned reining MOP honors for the third time this season, while van der Walde took the jumping honor for the second time.

• Carolina has now won Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors in three consecutive seasons. Graduate Bailey Mierzejewski won the award in 2016 and 2017.

FROM THE COACH

“I think our girls rode great; except for a couple of bobbles, I think we could have had it today. Texas A&M is certainly a very strong team to be the No. 3 team in the country. I think we proved today that we have the right to be in the top eight for the national championship; I’m expecting nothing less from the championship committee, to see us in there. I think today proved that we should really be in there. I’m looking forward to seeing the outcome of the selection on Tuesday. ”– Head Coach Boo Major

UP NEXT FOR THE GAMECOCKS

South Carolina turns its attention to the 2018 NCEA Championship, to be held April 18-21 in Waco, Texas. The NCEA will likely announce the championship seedings on Tuesday.