April 13, 2016
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Five members of the University of South Carolina equestrian team were recognized by the SEC office on Wednesday in the league’s end of season awards.
“We had several folks who were recognized by the SEC and I’m proud of all of them,” South Carolina head coach Boo Major said. “These girls put in a lot of hard work throughout the year both in the classroom and in the arena, so it’s always nice when we’re able to recognize our student-athletes.”
Highlighting this year’s honorees is Gamecock junior Bailey Mierzejewski, who was named SEC Scholar Athlete of the Year.
Senior western team captain Abigail Pait was named to the All-SEC Team in horsemanship. Pait leads the western team this season with a 10-4-1 record, and she has won four Most Outstanding Performer awards.
Senior Kelsey Urban was named to the SEC Community Service Team. Urban led the Gamecocks with over 450 hours of community service this season, volunteering with organizations such as the Dickerson Children’s Advocacy Center, Transitions Homeless Shelter, Curing Kids Cancer, the Ronald McDonald House, and the University of South Carolina Parenting and Family Research Center in the Child and Family Program.
Two Gamecock freshmen combined to earn three spots on the SEC All-Freshman Team.
Freshman Madison Thiel was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team in both horsemanship and reining. Fellow freshman Lizzie van der Walde was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team in equitation on the flat.
The Gamecocks are back in action on Thursday, April 14, when South Carolina faces SMU in the opening round of the 2016 National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) National Championship.
