Sweet Briar Captures Third ODAC Equestrian Title

Vixen's Benjamin Earns Top Rider and Rookie Awards

LEXINGTON, Va. --- Sweet Briar College put together an impressive performance at the 2015 ODAC Equestrian Championships, winning each round of scoring to secure the conference title on Thursday afternoon at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, Va.  The crown is the second for the Vixens in the past four years and third overall, joining the hardware they hoisted in 2012 and 1987.

First year rider Makayla Benjamin led SBC to the championship, securing both ODAC Rider of the Year and ODAC Rookie of the Year honors.  Vixens' mentor Mimi Wroten took home ODAC Coach of the Year accolades, while Washington and Lee University sophomore Ashley Ooms received ODAC/Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete recognition.

Full Championship Results

The team scoring was based on a 7-5-4-3-2-1 points system with the class winner receiving seven points and working down to the sixth-place team which garnered one point.

Benjamin led after both rounds of Equitation Over Fences, posting an 84 average (83-85) in round one followed by an 85 (86-84) in round two.  Her 84.5 overall average led all riders.  She added an 86 (87-85) in Equitation Over the Flat, helping SBC to a perfect 21-point day.  Abigail Strohmeyer (78.875) and Alexandra Markmann (78.75) also finished in the top-10, ranking seventh and eighth, respectively, and earning All-ODAC status in the process.

Washington and Lee took up reserve position with 14 points, followed up by Bridgewater College with nine points.  Hollins University and Randolph College tied for fourth with eight points each.  HU was awarded fourth place based on more cumulative points during the Equitation Over Fences classes.  Lynchburg College placed sixth with seven points.

Laura Lemon (82.625) and Jane Chiavelli (79.875) from Washington and Lee placed second and fourth (tied) to earn their spots on the All-ODAC Team.  Bridgewater's Zellie Wothers (79.875) and Emily Manos (77.5) finished fourth (tied) and 10th, while Hollins' Lizzie Ranzo (77.875) placed ninth.  Randolph's Meaghan Hynes (80.25) chimed in third, and Lynchburg's Christina Antonucci (79.375) came in sixth.

Listed below are full lists of the ODAC team standings as well as the All-ODAC Team of riders.

ODAC Rider of the Year: Makayla Benjamin, Sweet Briar
ODAC Coach of the Year: Mimi Wroten, Sweet Briar
ODAC Rookie of the Year: Makayla Benjamin, Sweet Briar
ODAC/Va. Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete: Ashley Ooms, Washington and Lee 

* Hollins was awarded fourth place based on tiebreakers from points accumulated during the Equitation Over Fences competition.