Oct. 25, 2002

Kansas State English equestrian rider Natalie Bennett posted her first-ever High-Point Rider honors in the team's first-place finish Friday at Fox Creek Stables. The Wildcat's tallied 39 points to edge Southern Illinois who was second with 23 points and Truman State with 18 rounded out the top three. Iowa State posted 11 points and Southwest Missouri State with seven points.

"I was pleased with our performance today because so many of our women earned points," assistant head coach in charge of the English team Meghan Cunningham said. "I thought that they all rode very well and we look forward to two more days of tough competition."

The Wildcat's also captured the Reserve High-Point Rider when freshman Sarah Zerliene won a ride-off against fellow Wildcat Sarah Waxman. This was the first-ever Reserve High-Point honors for Zerliene.

Sophomores Dehlia Burdan and Allison Woodworth opened the first-ever English show hosted by Kansas State by finishing one and two respectively in open fences. In intermediate fences, Zurliene took first place with sophomore Waxman and junior Annina Micheli close behind in third and fourth. Freshman Summer Hamil was the winner in the first section of novice fences, while junior Janelle Orr earned four points with her third-place finish. Junior Melissa Thompson and sophomore Bennett were also able to go one and two in the second section of novice fences.

Woodworth earned her second second-place finish of the day in open flat and senior Maureen Reynolds took home a third-place ribbon. Junior Jessica Gittleman's first-place finish in walk/trot pointed her up to beginner walk/trot/canter for remaining competitions. Sophomore Anne Brammeier placed second in walk/trot. Waxman, freshman Lauren Demmel, junior Zurliene, and Thompson went an impressive first through fourth in intermediate flat. Junior Julie Hufft placed second in the first section of advanced walk/trot/canter. Junior Amanda Gilbert placed third in beginner walk/trot/canter.

With Gittleman's (walk/trot) and Waxman's (intermediate flat) performances today, they were able to be the first two English Wildcats to point-up therefore qualifying them for postseason competition. The first level of postseason competition is regionals, to be eligible she must earn 35 points throughout the year. If a rider is in the open division, she only needs to earn 28 points. Points from the previous year carry over, unless a rider is in an open division. The top-three competitors at regional competition go on to zone competition. The top two in zone competition qualify for nationals.

Admission to the shows is free. Complete results will be available at www.k-statesports.com following each show. The show continues Saturday at noon with the final show on Sunday morning at 9 a.m.

Results
Team Points: 1. Kansas State 39 2. Southern Illinois 23 3. Truman State 18 4. Iowa State 11 5. Southwest Missouri State 7

Individual Points:
Open Fences: 1. Dehlia Burdan, KSU. 2. Allison Woodworth, KSU. 3. Emily Holekamp, Truman. 4. Maureen Reynolds, KSU. 5. Stephane Killian, ISU. 6. Joanne Numrich, SIUC. Res. Gene McBride, ISU.

Intermediate Fences: 1. Sara Zurliene, KSU. 2. Jessica Katzman, ISU. 3. Sara Waxman, KSU. 4. Annina Micheli, KSU. 5. Katie Henry, SIUC. 6. Lauren Demmel, KSU. Res. Karen Hamilton, ISU.

Novice Fences (Section 1): 1. Summer Hamil, KSU. 2. Norell Harrison, SMSU. 3. Janelle Orr, KSU. 4. Becky McGinnis, SMSU. 5. Abby Carney, ISU. 6. Christine Zeger, ISU.

Novice Fences (Section 2): 1. Melissa Thompson, KSU. 2. Natalie Bennett, KSU. 3. Stefanie Priorello, SIUC. 4. Sara Sandker, Truman. 5. Nina Tobler, Truman. 6. Sara Willis, ISU. Res. Courtney Alexander, SUIC.

Open Flat: 1.Joanne Numrich, SIUC. 2. Allison Woodworth, KSU. 3. Maureen Reynolds, KSU. 4. Emily Holekamp, Truman. 5. Deliha Burdan, KSU. 6. Stephane Killian, ISU. Res. Gene McBride, ISU.

Walk/Trot: 1. Jessica Gittleman, KSU. 2. Anne Brammeier, KSU. 3. Emily Wehrman, Truman. 4. Nina Baueregger, KSU. 5. Amber Fox, KSU. 6. Erin Bowen, SIUC. Res. Josh Ramsey, ISU.

Intermediate Flat: 1. Sara Waxman, KSU. 2. Lauren Demmel, KSU. 3. Sara Zurliene, KSU. 4. Melissa Thompson, KSU. 5. Stacey Kresge, SIUC. 6. Jessica Katzman, ISU. Res. Erica Pope, Truman.

Novice Flat (Section 1): 1.Sara Sandker, Truman. 2. Jacque Griffin, KSU. 3. Becky McGinnis, Truman. 4. Courtney Alexander, SIUC. 5. Nicole Griffin, SUIC. 6. Abby Carney, ISU. Res. Summer Hamil, KSU.

Advanced Walk/Trot/Canter (Section 1): 1. Lacy Hobbs, SMSU. 2. Julie Hufft, KSU. 3. Sara Krutzman, Truman. 4. Katie Biondi, SIUC. 5. Dana Manar, SMSU. 6. Katie Lund, ISU. Res. Sara Pendzick, Truman.

Beginner Walk/Trot/Canter: 1. Kim Folwer, SIUC. 2. Amanda Olson, SIUC. 3. Amanda Gilbert, KSU. 4. Frances Knapp, Truman. 5. Jen Blake, KSU. 6. John Tenhundfeld, ISU.

Novice Flat (Section 2): 1. Natalie Bennett, KSU. 2. Nina Tobler, Truman. 3. Christina Zegler, ISU. 4. Stefanie Pfiofello, SIUC. 5. Stacey Roberts, ISU. 6. Christine Zegler, ISU. Res. Brett Beale, KSU.

Advanced Walk/Trot/Canter (Section 2): 1. Amy Fairbaim, SUIC. 2. Rachel Pierson, KSU. 3. Sarah Pittenger, KSU. 4. Carrie Huot, Truman. 5. Sonia Diaz de Leon, ISU. 6. Emily Cassil, SMSU. Res. Jana Horra, ISU.

~ksu~