Ocala, FL — The State University of New York at New Paltz NCEA equestrian team will compete at nationals for the first time in program history Thursday.
 
After winning the ECAC North Regional Championships March 27, defeating Sacred Heart University and Dartmouth University, the Hawks cemented a spot to fight for its first national championship at the Word Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida, facing Sweet Briar in the first round Thursday.
 
"It means a lot to me for this group of girls to qualify for nationals as we're a young team and this being our first full season," said SUNY New Paltz coach Helaina Riccardi. "We are looking forward most to be able to show in Ocala. It being a state-of-the-art, world class venue. Unfortunately, we've never had the opportunity to go to Waco, Texas but we're excited for Florida."
 
The single discipline championships consist of the Hawks, Vixens and Lynchburg and Sawanee who are in the third seed versus second seed bracket, respectively. SUNY New Paltz is the fourth seed, taking on Sweet Briar who is the first. 
The last time the Hawks faced the Vixens was Feb. 25 with SUNY New Paltz falling, 5-3 at Sweet Briar. They showed well in fences, defeating the opposition, 3-1 in the event, while out-scoring them 302-293. However, they struggled to duplicate the same scores in flat with the Vixens winning, 5-3 with a total score of 625.5 to SUNY New Paltz's 561.
 
In four total meetings between the two programs, the Vixens have won all four matchups, but the Hawks are confident they can earn their first this Thursday.
 
"For us, we really didn't do anything different. We really just focused on the riding. I think that's the most important is the riding and feeling confident when you walk into the ring," Riccardi said. "I think the biggest strength this team has is they work really well together. They're a really resilient group of girls and they really pull each other through when one starts to struggle and they've been able to hold it together even if we're down in the beginning or if we start up, and then start to lose some points, they really help boost the moral and cheer each other on."
 
SUNY New Paltz's NCEA team consists of four riders: Devyn Looney, who was named the ECAC Overall Most Outstanding Player for flat and a flat All-Tournament team selection, Alanna Ryan, who also earned a spot on the flat ECAC North All-Tournament team, Seraphina Morreale, who earned fences All-Tournament team, and captain Brynley Smith, who was named Most Outstanding Player for fences and Most Outstanding Player for flat in matchups against the Big Green in the ECAC Regional finals.
 
"After winning the conference championship, we basically went through with each individual student-athlete what they felt their strengths and weaknesses were and we just practiced with each girl individually on what they felt they needed to work on," Riccardi said. "I think we're just looking forward most to being able to actually compete in a national championship and be able to see this great facility for the first time.
 
"I hope to see them come out confident, calm and relaxed, as they've been throughout this entire season."
 
To watch the NCEA National Championships live, click here.

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