South Carolina won the SEC Championship at Tryon International Equestrian Center, with momentum now carrying them to the NCEA National Championship in Florida as the No. 5 seed. The team, under first-year head coach Carol Gwin, made a statement in the postseason by defeating top-seeded Auburn and No. 3 Texas A&M to secure the conference title. Senior Chloe VanStone and Junior Natalie Jayne were key players who earned MOP awards during the weekend.
Coach Gwin has focused on fundamentals, structure, and adapting to change to guide the team to success. South Carolina’s regular season featured a conference win over Texas A&M, and despite a 1-4 SEC record, their post-season momentum and growth have them entering the national championship at full stride. The team is now one of eight heading to the NCEA National Championship at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala.
A national title in her first year as head coach would be a dream scenario for Gwin, who believes the team is in a great headspace and riding well. Junior Natalie Jayne is confident in the team’s ability to succeed at nationals, emphasizing the need for preparation and teamwork to overcome tough competition. The Gamecocks are aiming for success at the national championship following their SEC victory.
