LEXINGTON, Va. --- The University of Lynchburg is making up for lost time in the history of the conference's traditional equestrian event. The Hornets won their third straight ODAC Equestrian Championship on Wednesday after previously not lifting a league trophy dating back to the start of their competing program in 1987.
Lynchburg won two the three sessions conducted at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, claiming both Over Fences competitions and finishing second to Hollins University in the On the Flat equitation. The Hornets' team of Fallyn Belcastro, Elle Nutting, Maddy Rubin, and Alexandra Russell finished with 19 points, two tallies shy of the perfect mark Lynchburg achieved last season. Hollins finished as the reserve champion with 14 points, while host Bridgewater College edged Washington and Lee University by one marker, 11-10, for third place. Sweet Briar College placed fifth with nine points.
For the second straight season, Lynchburg standout Belcastro earned ODAC Rider of the Year laurels. Her head coach, Phillip Williamson, was named ODAC Coach of the Year, while Bridgewater first-year Willow Wright was named ODAC Rookie of the Year. Lynchburg's Elle Nutting garnered ODAC/Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete of the Year recognition from the league's athletic communications personnel.
Belcastro was the top rider in both fences sessions, which form the basis for All-ODAC distinction. However, she was also the leading scorer in the flat competition, adding further emphasis to her ODAC best rider honor. In the first fences session, Belcastro scored an 86.0 and was joined by Rubin (84.25) and Russell (78.0) in forming the Hornets' winning 248.25 team score. In the second session, Belcastro posted a big higher mark at 87.5, while Rubin (85.5) and Nutting (77.5) joined her in posting a 250.5 team tally.
On the flat, Belcastro was 7.5 points clear of any other rider with a 91.0 average score. It was Hollins, however, that won this session with Jordan Atwell-Purcell and Cora Floyd posting scores of 81.0 and 80.5 for a 161.5 session score to edge Lynchburg's 159.0 tally.
All-ODAC features eight riders with the top cumulative scores over both fences sessions (flat does not factor into All-ODAC calculations). That list of riders is below along with full team totals and scores from the championship.
Team Standings
- Lynchburg -- 19 pts.
- Hollins -- 14 pts.
- Bridgewater -- 11 pts.
- Washington and Lee -- 10 pts.
- Sweet Briar -- 9 pts.
ODAC Rider of the Year: Fallyn Belcastro, Lynchburg
ODAC Rookie of the Year: Willow Wright, Bridgwater
ODAC/Va. Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete: Elle Nutting, Lynchburg
ODAC Coach of the Year: Phillip Williamson, Lynchburg
All-ODAC Team
- Fallyn Belcastro, Lynchburg -- 86.75
- Willow Wright, Bridgewater -- 85.250
- Maddy Rubin, Lynchburg -- 84.875
- Eva Lunn, Washington and Lee -- 83.250
- Isabelle Mesiarik, Sweet Briar -- 81.250
- Katherine Atherton, Sweet Briar --- 80.750
- Emma Branche, LYN -- 80.000
- Elle Nutting, LYN -- 77.500