Goucher Beats Out Hollins for Spot at Nationals
BLACKSBURG, VA One thing the Goucher riding program had never achieved in its long and illustrious history was qualifying as a team to compete at the IHSA National Riding Show. That is until today!
Goucher Beats Out Hollins for Spot at Nationals
Fink, Hurd to Represent Goucher in Individual EventsApril 1, 2007
BLACKSBURG, VA — One thing the Goucher riding
program had never achieved in its long and illustrious history was
qualifying as a team to compete at the IHSA National Riding Show.
That is — until today!
At today's IHSA Zone IV Championships, Goucher needed to finish
either first or second among the three regional champions in order
to earn its spot at nationals. Virginia Intermont, Region III
titlists, collected 52 points to distinguish itself as the zone's
top intercollegiate riding program for 2006-07, but Goucher, which
captured the Region I crown last weekend, nailed down the runner-up
spot, beating out Region II's Hollins by nine points, 43-34.
Goucher will also have two riders competing in individual events
at the IHSA National Riding Show in Springfield, Mass., in May as a
result of their performances today. Julie Fink (Baltimore,
MD/Garrison Forest School), Region I's only entrant in
open equitation over fences, was awarded first place and will
repesent Goucher and Zone IV at the national competition. Also
headed to IHSA nationals from Goucher is Meredith Hurd
(Sykesville, MD/Glenelg), the second-place finisher today
in advanced walk-trot-canter.
During the team competition, Goucher took first place in two
events: Fink achieved the high score in intermediate flat and
Nina Sysko (Lewiston, ME/Lewiston) outscored the
other two entrants in walk-trot. Goucher also produced the
runners-up in four classes: Jonathan Cohen (Chicago,
IL/Latin School of Chicago) in open flat, Brittany
Martin (Ocean City, MD/Worcester Prep) in open fences,
Sarah Pandolfini (New York, NY/Buxton) in novice
flat and Sarah Ashby (Havre de Grace, MD/Havre de
Grace) in advanced walk-trot-canter.