2008 Woodie Awards
Equestrian Team 3rd at National Championship
Elyse HarrellStaff Reporter
Issue date: 4/28/05 Section: Sports
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The Women's Equestrian team traveled to Santa Fe, New Mexico for the Varsity Equestrian National Championship on April 15 and 16 and finished in third place.
The team improved its score eight points from the 2004 VENC, in which they also came in third place, which shows that the competition was strong.
"The other schools were definitely tough competition. We were the smallest school there, and we also traveled the farthest to get there. In fact, we received little recognition in the pre-tournament predictions despite placing 3rd there last year," said Katie Janczak (senior, Ballstom Spa, NY), who shares the co-captain title with Emily Grayson (senior, Greenwich).
"Every year we go in and we're the underdogs, up against big Division I schools such as USC, UGA, OSU, etc. Their rosters and programs are far larger than ours, but we're a tough team to beat."
Sacred Heart came up against such colleges as Oklahoma State University, University of South Carolina, Texas A+M, and Kansas State, along with many others. Still these big colleges were not able to intimidate SHU.
"The ability level of the squad traveling to this year's competition was outstanding," said coach Alysia Cantelmo
The girls came out strong on Friday, gaining 11 points on the first day alone. They came out on day two with the same approach and determination.
"I had a difficult horse and had to adjust my ride accordingly. In the test we had to switch horses, and I made a couple of minor mistakes that I'm not happy with," said Janczak.
The judges order tests, which is a simple switching of horses, in order to guarantee a fair judging. Janczak over came these tests and earned herself and the team its first blue ribbon in this competition.
"Going up against the big schools and huge programs, you worry that team members will get intimidated, but every year I'm even more impressed by the composure and determination put forth by the girls on this team," said Janczak.
The team improved its score eight points from the 2004 VENC, in which they also came in third place, which shows that the competition was strong.
"The other schools were definitely tough competition. We were the smallest school there, and we also traveled the farthest to get there. In fact, we received little recognition in the pre-tournament predictions despite placing 3rd there last year," said Katie Janczak (senior, Ballstom Spa, NY), who shares the co-captain title with Emily Grayson (senior, Greenwich).
"Every year we go in and we're the underdogs, up against big Division I schools such as USC, UGA, OSU, etc. Their rosters and programs are far larger than ours, but we're a tough team to beat."
Sacred Heart came up against such colleges as Oklahoma State University, University of South Carolina, Texas A+M, and Kansas State, along with many others. Still these big colleges were not able to intimidate SHU.
"The ability level of the squad traveling to this year's competition was outstanding," said coach Alysia Cantelmo
The girls came out strong on Friday, gaining 11 points on the first day alone. They came out on day two with the same approach and determination.
"I had a difficult horse and had to adjust my ride accordingly. In the test we had to switch horses, and I made a couple of minor mistakes that I'm not happy with," said Janczak.
The judges order tests, which is a simple switching of horses, in order to guarantee a fair judging. Janczak over came these tests and earned herself and the team its first blue ribbon in this competition.
"Going up against the big schools and huge programs, you worry that team members will get intimidated, but every year I'm even more impressed by the composure and determination put forth by the girls on this team," said Janczak.