COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina equestrian team has earned the No. 1 seed at the 2014 National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) National Championship, it was announced today. This year’s championship runs April 17-19 at the Extraco Events Center in Waco, Texas.
“We’re certainly honored to earn the No. 1 seed for nationals,” South Carolina head coach Boo Major said. “When you look at this year’s bracket, it may be the most competitive national championship we’ve ever had. Three of the top four seeds are SEC schools and I think that says volumes about the quality of the programs in our conference. We’ll start practicing on Wednesday for nationals, and I think our girls are excited about the opportunity to compete on the national stage.”
Along with the No. 1 seed, South Carolina (13-2, 4-2 SEC) receives a first round by at the national championship. The Gamecocks will face the winner of the opening round meet between (8) Fresno State and (9) TCU, which will take place on April 17. South Carolina did not face either team during the regular season.
This year marks the first year that the NCEA’s national champion will be determined using the dual meet competition format, which teams currently compete under during the regular season. Previously, hunt seat and western teams were split up in to separate brackets, and points were awarded based on where each team finished in each bracket.
South Carolina previously won the NCEA National Championship in 2005 and 2007.
Seeding For 2014 NCEA Championship
1. South Carolina
2. Oklahoma State
3. Georgia
4. Auburn
5. Kansas State
6. Baylor
7. New Mexico State
8. Fresno State
9. TCU
10. SMU
11. UT-Martin
12. Texas A&M
2014 NCEA Opening-Round Match-Ups
(5) Kansas State vs. (12) Texas A&M (winner faces (4) Auburn)
(6) Baylor vs. (11) UT-Martin (winner faces (3) Georgia)
(7) New Mexico State vs. (10) SMU (winner faces (2) Oklahoma State)
(8) Fresno State vs. (9) TCU (winner faces (1) South Carolina)
