University of Georgia Athletics
Equestrians Recognized At Annual Banquet
April 30, 2007 | Equestrian
ATHENS, Ga. --- The Georgia equestrian team held its annual year-end banquet Sunday evening at the Athens Country Club where seven student-athletes and several key contributors were recognized.
“It was a great night with such a good group of people,” said head coach Meghan Boenig. “The Booster Club put on a fabulous banquet. I have to thank the Akins family in particular for making all the decorations, awards and arrangements.”
To anyone familiar with the program it comes as no surprise that Allie Hush was honored with the Sportsmanship Award. Last year’s Coaches’ Award recipient, Hush provides countless contributions to the team and is always seen with a smile on her face.
“Allie is such a deserving candidate for this award,” said Boenig. “She has such a positive attitude and is a sportsman to the fullest extent.”
Assistant Coach Carly Veldman agreed with Boenig and said, “Allie always has the most positive attitude. She is the best team player any team could ask for.”
The 2006-07 Coaches’ Awards went to Amanda Hanafi on the English side and Kristy Akins on the western side.
“Amanda has such great dedication and really wants to learn,” said Boenig,
“Kristy is one of the hardest workers both on and off the horse,” said Veldman. “She cares a lot about the behind-the-scenes things which really makes a huge difference.”
Fittingly so, this year’s Rookie of the Year Honors went to Haylie Jayne and Sarah Locker. Jayne collected five MVP honors including both equitation on the flat and equitation over fences at the Southern Equestrian Championships. She was also a key contributor at the Varsity Equestrian National Championships where she scored in the mid to high 80s from both judges on almost every ride.
“Haylie is an extremely incredible individual,” said Boenig. “Both she and Sarah are putting in such great effort, not only athletically, but also as teammates. They are going to be such great leaders in years to come, and I look forward to having them for another three years.”
Locker was one of the anchors of this year’s reining squad that, week-after-week, put forth such strong rides. She was one of only two riders that finished with 10 or more wins. In addition, Locker roped in three MVP honors throughout her rookie campaign.
“Sarah is a standout freshman,” said Veldman. “She is an incredible reiner and makes every ride look great no matter what horse she draws.
Capping off the student-athlete awards for the night were the two MVP honors that were given to Logan Fiorentino and Kate Stewart. Fiorentino received MVP status for the second consecutive year. In her final season, she picked up 14 wins and two meet MVPs over fences.
“Logan has made such huge contributions in many ways,” said Boenig. “She has been such a clutch rider.”
Stewart was the Bulldog’s top point-collector this year with 11 wins in reining. She went undefeated throughout the regular season and was named meet MVP against Stephen F. Austin on Nov. 18.
“Kate is such a great teammate,” said Veldman. “She has so much to offer, and I’m so excited she still has two more years with us.”
After team awards, the staff took a moment to recognize all of the people who contribute behind the scenes including Claire Foggin, Jeffrey Puryear, Patti Huberty, Paul Cline and Carla Williams. Also, Elizabeth Cooper was named as this year’s “Mane Dawg” award recipient. Cooper is a student assistant who spends countless hours volunteering to help out with the horses.
Following the awards portion of the banquet all seniors were saluted one last time as a final send off. In addition, the 2007-08 team captains were announced as the 2006-07 captains stepped down. Leading next year’s team will be Allie Hush, Michelle Blair and Kate Stewart. They will take the place of Tricia Fowler and Leslie Immel.
“We want to give a special thanks to Leslie and Tricia for being such great leaders,” said Boenig. “They filled their captain roles well and served as great models for the years to come.”
“It was a great night with such a good group of people,” said head coach Meghan Boenig. “The Booster Club put on a fabulous banquet. I have to thank the Akins family in particular for making all the decorations, awards and arrangements.”
To anyone familiar with the program it comes as no surprise that Allie Hush was honored with the Sportsmanship Award. Last year’s Coaches’ Award recipient, Hush provides countless contributions to the team and is always seen with a smile on her face.
“Allie is such a deserving candidate for this award,” said Boenig. “She has such a positive attitude and is a sportsman to the fullest extent.”
Assistant Coach Carly Veldman agreed with Boenig and said, “Allie always has the most positive attitude. She is the best team player any team could ask for.”
The 2006-07 Coaches’ Awards went to Amanda Hanafi on the English side and Kristy Akins on the western side.
“Amanda has such great dedication and really wants to learn,” said Boenig,
“Kristy is one of the hardest workers both on and off the horse,” said Veldman. “She cares a lot about the behind-the-scenes things which really makes a huge difference.”
Fittingly so, this year’s Rookie of the Year Honors went to Haylie Jayne and Sarah Locker. Jayne collected five MVP honors including both equitation on the flat and equitation over fences at the Southern Equestrian Championships. She was also a key contributor at the Varsity Equestrian National Championships where she scored in the mid to high 80s from both judges on almost every ride.
“Haylie is an extremely incredible individual,” said Boenig. “Both she and Sarah are putting in such great effort, not only athletically, but also as teammates. They are going to be such great leaders in years to come, and I look forward to having them for another three years.”
Locker was one of the anchors of this year’s reining squad that, week-after-week, put forth such strong rides. She was one of only two riders that finished with 10 or more wins. In addition, Locker roped in three MVP honors throughout her rookie campaign.
“Sarah is a standout freshman,” said Veldman. “She is an incredible reiner and makes every ride look great no matter what horse she draws.
Capping off the student-athlete awards for the night were the two MVP honors that were given to Logan Fiorentino and Kate Stewart. Fiorentino received MVP status for the second consecutive year. In her final season, she picked up 14 wins and two meet MVPs over fences.
“Logan has made such huge contributions in many ways,” said Boenig. “She has been such a clutch rider.”
Stewart was the Bulldog’s top point-collector this year with 11 wins in reining. She went undefeated throughout the regular season and was named meet MVP against Stephen F. Austin on Nov. 18.
“Kate is such a great teammate,” said Veldman. “She has so much to offer, and I’m so excited she still has two more years with us.”
After team awards, the staff took a moment to recognize all of the people who contribute behind the scenes including Claire Foggin, Jeffrey Puryear, Patti Huberty, Paul Cline and Carla Williams. Also, Elizabeth Cooper was named as this year’s “Mane Dawg” award recipient. Cooper is a student assistant who spends countless hours volunteering to help out with the horses.
Following the awards portion of the banquet all seniors were saluted one last time as a final send off. In addition, the 2007-08 team captains were announced as the 2006-07 captains stepped down. Leading next year’s team will be Allie Hush, Michelle Blair and Kate Stewart. They will take the place of Tricia Fowler and Leslie Immel.
“We want to give a special thanks to Leslie and Tricia for being such great leaders,” said Boenig. “They filled their captain roles well and served as great models for the years to come.”
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