Gophers Open Up Early Advantage on Regional Foes

TOWSON, Md. — Goucher entered its regular season opener at the Mount St. Mary's IHSA Show having won seven straight regional competitions dating back to 2012-13. The Gophers had no issues running that streak to eight, topping their nearest competitors by 25 points in a dominant first place showing this weekend.

Goucher finished with 47 points overall, well ahead of Mount St. Mary's and George Mason, which finished in a tie for second. Six different Gophers earned blue ribbons, while an additional three were runner-ups in their respective divisions.

Joey Fink (Baltimore, Md./The Park School) was declared the event's high point rider after first place results in both open flat and open fences. Goucher also swept the intermediate classes, with Cary Hundley (Ellicott City, Md./Marriotts Ridge) and Alison Radgowski (Northport, N.Y./Northport) besting their competition in intermediate flat and fences, respectively.

Sarah Lummis (Westminster, Md./Winters Mill), Maring Eberlein (Fairhope, Ala./Fairhope) and Joel Brandis (Portland, Ore./Grant) picked up the team's remaining blue ribbons. Lummis came out on top in advanced walk trot canter, Eberlein was triumphant in beginning walk trot canter and Brandis topped the field in walk trot.

The show had two sections competing in novice flat, and Gopher riders Clea Lerner (Los Angeles, Calif./Renaissance Arts Academy) and Maia Miller (Seattle, Wash./Roosevelt) placed second in each of those divisions. Goucher received an additional second place result from Kaduk Sherpa (East Aurora, N.Y./The Park School) in novice fences.

A total of 10 schools competed at Saturday's show. This weekend's performance allows the Gophers to open up a commanding early lead in the Zone IV, Region I team standings. They will look to build on that advantage when they host the Goucher IHSA Show next Saturday morning.