Georgia Highlights Accomplishments at Year End Banquet

Georgia Highlights Accomplishments at Year End Banquet

April 27, 2021 | Equestrian

ATHENS, Ga. --- The newly crowned National Champion Georgia equestrian team celebrated a memorable season with the Annual Awards Banquet on Thursday night at the Sanford Stadium West End Zone.

The banquet started with opening remarks from head coach Meghan Boenig as well as a speech and congratulations from J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Josh Brooks.

The equestrian coaches thanked numerous members of the support staff for their dedication to the program before handing out individual awards to the team.

The top Philanthropic Achievers, who volunteered between 18-58.5 hours in the community, were McKenzie Maloney, Miller Lantis, Isabelle Heckler, Emily Blecher, Sophia Pilla, Emily Leins, Talia Forcina, Kadie Sanford, Kendall Gill, and Annalise Reed.

Heckler received the "Iron Dawg" award for her performance and dedication to Strength and Conditioning.

The "Hero Dawg" awards was given to the unsung heroes of the team who set individuals up for success and lead by example. The winners were Meg Seidel, Kendall Gill, Hannah Smith, Carly Yosurack, Hazel Taylor, and Heckler.

The 2020-21 Stand-Out Student-Athlete of the Year was Charlotte Anguiano, which was voted on by her teammates, for going above and beyond in all aspects.

A "Coach's Award" was given to one rider from each event. Assistant coach Sara Parr gave the Western awards to Jordan Carpenter and Hannah Jane Lucas, while Boenig presented the award to Ali Tritschler and Hannah Smith received the award from assistant coach Anna Becker.

The Sportsmanship Award represents the team member who puts her team before herself. The Western winner was Kendall Gill and the Jumping Seat honoree Ceci Bresch.

The "Commit to the G" award is given to the team members who embody the ideas of the "Georgia Way", display outstanding attitudes, work ethics, and support for their teammates and coaches. This year's winners were Courtney Blumer and Sophie Lucas for Western, and Carter Anderson and Annalise Reed for Jumping Seat.

A new team award is the Visionary Award, which is presented to the team members investing in a better tomorrow for the program. Ali Tritschler and Isabelle Heckler were this year's winner after staying for a fifth year and leading the team to a national championship this season.

Jordan Toering, Leah Anderson, Nora Andrews, and Caitlin Lyons won the "Rookie of the Year" awards. The Most Outstanding Player of the Year awards went to Lindsay Guynn (Reining), Hayley Mairano (Fences), Sara Lewis (Horsemanship), and Isabelle Heckler (Flat).