Oct. 12, 2003

YAPHANK, NY - Members of the Sacred Heart University Equestrian team opened their 2003 - 2004 season today at the St. Joseph's College IHSA Show. Top placings by returning and new riders led the team to win the St. Joseph's College Reserve Champion High Point College Title.

In the Open Division, strong finishes by Emily Grayson (2nd on the flat) and Captain Kate Janczak (3rd on the flat and 2nd over fences) helped start off both the season and show on a strong note. Freshmen Catherine Coyle and Lauren Pierce found themselves out of the ribbons in Open. Both rode in competitive sections of Open Flat, while over fences, it was a challenging draw that kept Coyle out of the ribbons.

In Intermediate, Ashley Coppola competed in Intermediate Flat & Fences earning herself a pair of 5th place finishes. She was joined by Pierce over fences, who earned her first Intercollegiate blue over fences. Crystal Taylor started her intercollegiate career in Intermediate Flat, with a win. For her efforts, freshman Michelle Baillargeon finished her flat class in Reserve.

Senior Christine Buker returned to the Novice ring competing both on the flat and over fences where to her credit, she finished with a personal best over fences, in 2nd place. Baillargeon and Taylor both had tough draws over fences keeping them just out of scoring range. Freshman Jessica Reynolds opened her college career with a pair of 4th place finishes on the flat and over fences. Rounding out Novice was freshman Amy Chase competing in Novice flat where she earned her first collegiate win.

In Walk-Trot, it was Senior Lauren O'Connell who clinched the team's 2nd place finish for the day. A personal best, 2nd place finish, in the Walk-Trot division, gave the team the requisite points to surpass Yale's team, and earn the title of Reserve High Point college.

SUMMARY OF ZONE 3, REGION 1 STANDINGS AS OF 10/12/03

College Standings

1 SUNY Stony Brook 42 2 Sacred Heart University 34 3 Yale University 32 4 Fairfield University 26 5 Long Island University (C.W. Post) 21 6 Nassau Community College 18 7 St. Joseph's College 16 8t St. John's University 10 8t Molloy College 10 10 Hofstra University 4 11 Dowling College 3

High Point Rider Standings 1. Elizabeth Jordan (Yale) 14 2. Jillian Brown (Fairfield) 12 3. Jocelyn Abbate (Fairfield) 10 4. Kate Janczak (SHU) 9 5T. Stacey Caldwell (Post) 5 5T. Emily Grayson (SHU) 5 7. Stacey Munoz (Stony Brook) 5 8T. Destiny Caldwell (Post) 4 8T. Jess Matherson (Fairfield) 4 8T. Jennifer Cummins (Yale) 4 8T. Kristen George (Fairfield) 4 8T. Vikki Logan (St. Joseph's) 4 13T Genna Rushchmeyer (Fairfield) 2 13T Phoebe Heffron (Yale) 2 15. Lisa Costell (Post) 1