Feb. 16, 2002

College Station, Texas - Stillwell, Kan., native, Natalie Bennett led the Kansas State hunt equestrian team with three first-place finishes and tied as the second show's High Point Rider. The team finished first Saturday afternoon and second Friday evening at the N.W. Dick Freeman Arena in the first two of three shows hosted by Texas A&M.

Saturday afternoon, the Wildcats were able to hold off Texas A&M by one point and Oklahoma State by three points to earn the win.

Bennett, a freshman, had first-place trophies in novice fences and novice flat. Allison Woodworth in open fences, and Christy Conforti in beginner walk/trot/canter were also able to take home first-place medals. Wildcats receiving second-place trophies were Stephanie Angalet in walk/trot, Sarah Waxman in intermediate fences and Amanda Gilbert in beginner walk/trot/canter.

On Friday evening, Kansas State tallied 32 points, good enough for second place, trailing Oklahoma State by six. The 'Cats were able to have individuals place in one of the top six slots in all but one of the catagories during the show.

Individuals attaining first-place trophies for the Wildcats were Bennett in novice fences, Conforti in beginner walk/trot/canter and Woodworth and Maureen Reynolds in open fences. Earning second-place finishes were Angie Guglielmino in novice fences, Angalet in walk/trot/canter, Kristy Rue in intermediate flat, Waxman in intermediate flat and Megan Hemberger in beginner walk/trot/canter.

Kelli Wilson (advanced walk/trot/canter) and Woodworth (open fences) joined Lindsey Hill (walk/trot) and Guglielmino (intermediate flat) in qualifying for the Regional competition on March 9, hosted by West Texas A&M in Canyon, Texas.

Meghan Cunningham, the hunt coach, said "Our riders are really pulling together and performing consistently. I hope to stay as consistent as we have been and to be at the top of our regional by tomorrow evening."

Going into Sunday's third show, Oklahoma State leads Kansas State 211-207 in overall standings. The show begins at 8 a.m. at the N.W. Dick Freeman Arena.

K-State Results
Saturday Show:

1. Kansas State 33
2. Texas A&M 32
3. Oklahoma State 30
4. West Texas A&M 11
5. Louisiana State 10
6. Trinity 2
7. Tarleton State 1
8. Texas 0

Open Fences -1. Allison Woodworth, 4. Dehlia Burden, 5. Maureen Reynolds
Intermediate Fences - 2. Sarah Waxman, 3. Kristy Rue
Novice Fences - 1. Natalie Bennett, 3. Janelle Orr, 5. Angie Guglielmino
Open Flat - 5. Angie Guglielmino, 6. Dehlia Burden
Walk/Trot - 2. Stephanie Angalet, 3. Anne Brammeier, 4. Jessica Gittleman
Intermediate Flat - 6. Annina Micheli, 6. Kristy Rue
Novice Flat - 1. Natalie Bennett, 3. Janelle Orr 3. Kelli Wilson, 4. Brett Beale
Advanced Walk/Trot/Canter - 3. Sarah Pittenger, 4. Rachel Pierson
Beginner Walk/Trot/Canter - 1. Christy Conforti, 2. Amanda Gilbert, 4. Megan Hemberger

Friday Show

1. Oklahoma State 38
2. Kansas State 32
3. Texas A&M 27
4. Louisiana Tech 20
5. West Texas A&M 12
6. Tarleton State 6
7. Texas 5
8. Trinity 3

Open Fences - 1. Allison Woodworth, 1. Maureen Reynolds, 6. Dehlia Burden
Intermediate Fences - 5. Emily Mertz, 6. Annina Micheli
Novice Fences - 1. Natalie Bennett, 2. Angie Guglielmino, 3. Janelle Orr
Open Flat - 4. Angie Guglielmino, 6. Allison Woodworth
Walk/Trot - 2. Stephanie Angalet, 3. Amber Fox, 4. Jessica Gittleman, 6. Anne Brammeier
Intermediate Flat - 2. Kristy Rue, 2. Sarah Waxman, 5. Annina Micheli
Novice Flat - 5. Natalie Bennett, 5. Brett Beale
Beginner Walk/Trot/Canter - 1. Christy Conforti, 2. Megan Hemberger, 5. Amanda Gilbert
Advanced Walk/Trot/Canter - 3. Kelli Wilson, 5. Sarah Pittenger