RANCHO MURIETA, CALIF. - The University of Minnesota Crookston equestrian team competed at the ECAC Championships Monday, March 25. They fell in the opening round of action to South Dakota State University 14-2. The Jackrabbits advance to face the University of Tennessee-Martin Tuesday, March 26.

The Golden Eagles fall to 0-6 with the loss at the ECAC Championships, but they have continued to show great improvements throughout the 2023-24 season including posting their highest point total in an NCEA meet earlier this year against the Jackrabbits.

In Fences, Minnesota Crookston was paced by Alexandra Wentland (Jr., Colorado Springs, Colo.), who narrowly fell 77.5-76.5 to Cali Karbler on Otis. Juliana Gullo (So., Itasca, Ill.) notched a 68.5 on Glennis.

In Flat, Gullo led Minnesota Crookston with a tally of 64 on Gracie. Alex Pfaffenbach (Sr., Appleton, Wis.) picked up a 62.5 on Luron, and Gabriella Siefkes (Sr., Aberdeen, S.D.) scored 60 on Lady.

In Horsemanship, Ava Jo Glenn (Fr., Ennis, Texas) picked up a point for the Golden Eagles with a 69.25-0 win over Paige Wellendorf on Thirty-nine. Marley Halse (Fr., Mountlake Terrace, Wash.), RaeAnna Danielson (Jr., Harris, Minn.), and Madison Wojcek (Fr., Bremerton, Wash.) all narrowly were defeated in their matches. 

In Reining, Wojcek picked up a 69.25-68.5 win over Emilie Strahm on Blue. The Golden Eagles also got great rides from Danielson and Halse, but they both narrowly were upended.

The ECAC Championships are hosted this season by the University of California-Davis in Rancho Murieta, Calif., at the Murieta Equestrian Center.

The ECAC announced postseason awards during the ECAC Championships as well. Belle Syrett (Fr., Winnipeg, Manitoba) earned the ECAC Sportsmanship Award.