NW Tennessee News

The spring portion of the University of Tennessee at Martin's 2022-23 equestrian schedule opens with a pair of big tests as the Skyhawks travel to Texas to take on No. 8 Baylor and No. 1 SMU on back-to-back days. The No. 9 ranked UT Martin squad will take on Baylor at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 27 before making the 95-mile drive north to square off against SMU at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28.
           
This weekend will be the Skyhawks' first meet since Nov. 18 as UT Martin completed its fall slate with a 2-3 overall record while also posting a pair of scrimmage victories. Individually, 18 different Skyhawks joined forces to rack up 61 wins during the fall to go along with 11 MOP's.
           
A total of 40 head-to-head victories have occurred in the Jumping Seat discipline. Julia Gilman's six victories in fences lead the way while Sydney Hott ranks first on the squad in MOP's (two) and scoring average (82.0). In flat, Hott leads or holds a share of the team lead in wins (five, sharing that title with Haley Kane), MOP's (two) and scoring average (84.6).
           
In the Western discipline, UT Martin's 21 victories are split between 13 wins in reining and eight triumphs in horsemanship. Logan Putvinski is a perfect 5-for-5 in head-to-head matchups while also claiming the top average score (69.9) on the squad. She is tied with Aubrey Malone and Lexi Bailey for the team lead in MOP's with one apiece. Horsemanship has been a total team effort as four separate Skyhawks (Emma Schaefer, Lexi Bailey, Kate Davis and Keely Seiter) have each won twice. Bailey's 75.5 average score leads the way as she and Davis are responsible for UT Martin's two MOP's so far in that event.
           
The Skyhawks last faced both of these teams in 2021-22, clashing against Baylor and SMU a total of four times. UT Martin battled but fell 13-6 to Baylor in the Sept. 24 season opener before dispatching then-No. 3 SMU by a 9-6 margin in Felton, Del. on Oct. 2. Following a 16-4 road setback to start the spring slate, the Skyhawks met the Mustangs once again at a neutral site during the Eastern College Athletic Conference Championship finals – falling by a slim 11-9 score in Harrington, Del. 

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