South Carolina Concludes 2024-25 Season in NCEA Semifinals
OCALA, FL – South Carolina Equestrian rounded out the 2024-25 season in the semifinals of the NCEA Championship on Friday, falling to No. 1 ranked SMU 15-5.
“This was a historic season for a team that has put their hearts and souls into every aspect of our program,” head coach Carol Gwin said. “I am honored to coach this team and a huge shoutout to Coach Luse, Potts and Duda for working so incredibly hard for every success. We earned this season and I am thrilled to finish in the top four in the country and as the 2025 SEC champions! Put a ring on it❤️.”
South Carolina picked up points in Fences, Horsemanship, and on the Flat. Fifth-year Alexa Aureliano rounded out her career with the sole point for the Gamecocks in Fences, defeating Aedan Mooney 86.3-82 on Caddy. In Horsemanship, Carly Jenkins picked up her point 74-71.8 over Ava Blyth on Lance to keep the Mustangs from a sweep.
The Gamecocks took Flat 3-2 over SMU, earning three consecutive points beginning with Natalie Jayne’s 85.7-83 win over Augusta Iwasaki on James. Mary Hunter Millet followed suit, taking her point 74-72.3 on Georgio, with Sarah Rabb rounding out points in the event with her 10-point victory over Aedan Mooney 81-71 on Misty.
Despite the final score, South Carolina kept things tight with the No. 1 Mustangs, coming within 1 point or less in six matchups.
SEASON IN REVIEW
The 2024-25 season saw many new accomplishments in Gwin’s first year, highlighted by the program’s third SEC Championship, marking the first time in South Carolina history a first-year coach has won the title. The Gamecocks defeated seven top-10 ranked opponents along the way, including topping three higher ranked teams in a row for the first time in program history (in full dual discipline meets; No. 1 Auburn, No. 4 Texas A&M, No. 3 TCU). The appearance in the NCEA Championship semifinals was also the first for the Gamecocks since the 2018-19 season.
Seven Gamecocks earned All-SEC honors, with two freshmen picking up Rider of the Year nods in their respective discipline (Amira Kettaneh – Fences, Olivia Cardi – Reining). At the SEC Championship, South Carolina swept the All-Championship squad, with Kettaneh, Jayne, Jenkins and Chloe VanStone receiving selections.
In addition, five student-athletes picked up six NCEA All-America nods. Amira Kettaneh (Fences + Flat, Second Team), Natalie Jayne (Flat, First Team), Mary Hunter Millet (Flat, Second Team), Sophie Mitchell (Flat, Honorable Mention) and Haley Turner (Reining, Honorable Mention) were all named.
Gwin and the Gamecocks will pick back up for the 2025-26 season in the fall.
