Twenty-one Tigers earn NCEA academic honors

AUBURN, Ala. – Twenty-one members of the No. 2 Auburn equestrian team were recognized by the National Collegiate Equestrian Association for their efforts in the classroom, the NCEA announced.

Fifth years Olivia Bradley and Ellie Ferrigno, seniors Mary-Grace Segars and Sophee Steckbeck, juniors Caroline Buchanan, Caroline Fredenburg and Alexia Tordoff and sophomores Avery Glynn and Brooke Jolstad were placed on the NCEA APHA All-Academic First Team. Recipients must have competed in a minimum of 70 percent of the school’s meets. They also must have earned a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 while maintaining full-time enrollment in the previous spring and fall semesters.

Sophomore Sydney Swallom earned a spot on the second team, which is given to those who earn a 3.25 GPA.

Genevieve Ahlstedt, Jill Alexander, Bradley, Buchanan, Kaitlyn Ferguson, Ferrigno, Fredenburg, Glynn, Lauren Hall, Callie Hogg, Jolstad, Elizabeth Klein, Grace Langley, Meghan McFadden, Segars, Alexis Seiden, Steckbeck, Swallom, Tordoff, Sarah Wren and Victoria Zember represented Auburn on the NCEA Academic Honor Roll. The top academic student-athletes who have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.25 while maintaining full-time enrollment earn a spot on the list.

The Auburn University equestrian team has achieved a remarkable milestone, with 21 student-athletes earning recognition on the National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) Academic Honor Roll for the 2017–2018 academic year. This distinction underscores the team’s commitment to excellence both in the arena and in the classroom.​

Criteria for NCEA Academic Honor Roll

To qualify for the NCEA Academic Honor Roll, student-athletes must have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher while being enrolled full-time during the previous spring and fall semesters. Notably, there are no competition requirements for this award, emphasizing the importance of academic achievement.​

Recognized Athletes

The 21 Auburn equestrian athletes honored include:​

• Seniors: Caitlin Creel and Abby Wagner​

• Juniors: Caitlin Boyle, Lauren Diaz, Ali Fratessa, Hayley Iannotti, Mackenzie Michaels, Megan Rauh, and Casey Schmitz​

• Sophomores: Sydney Hoffa, Becky Kozma, Haley Pembroke, and Lillian Wagner

This diverse group reflects the team’s depth and the widespread commitment to academic excellence across different class years.​

Team’s Athletic Achievements

In addition to their academic success, the Auburn equestrian team demonstrated outstanding performance during the 2017–2018 season. The team earned the No. 2 overall seed for the NCEA Championship, with Horsemanship and Equitation on the Flat also securing No. 2 seeds, while Equitation Over Fences and Reining came in at No. 3. These rankings highlight the team’s competitive strength and consistency across various disciplines.​

The recognition of 21 Auburn equestrian athletes on the NCEA Academic Honor Roll is a testament to the team’s dedication to balancing rigorous academic pursuits with elite athletic performance. This achievement not only celebrates individual excellence but also reflects the team’s collective commitment to upholding the highest standards of both scholarship and sport.​