Ocala, Fla. -- The University of Lynchburg equestrian team advanced to the NCEA single-discipline national championship for the third year in a row after defeating Sewanee 10-0 in the semifinals Friday and will take on Sweet Briar in the championship looking for the program's third consecutive title.

The Hornets won all 10 points against Sewanee for their first sweep of the season. Lynchburg scored 10 points in an NCEA meet for the first time in program history. 

The 10-point victory began on the flat where all five riders for Lynchburg scored in the 70s. Riding James, Lucy Metzler was the high-point rider for Lynchburg with a 77.67, but Abby Zemp was just a fraction behind Metzler with a 77.33 on DJ. Fallyn Belcastro scored a 75 on Gigi, Kelley McCormick rode Gunner to a 70.67, and Emma Schweizer earned a 70.33 on Porter. Metzler's 15.67 margin of victory was the largest in Lynchburg's five wins on the flat, and McCormick narrowly edged out her opponent by .34 points. 

Thanks in large part to MacKenna Moss' 82.67 on Bentley, Lynchburg completed the sweep of Sewanee with five points over fences and an average margin of victory of 10.2. Moss beat out her opponent over fences by 24.34. Brynley Smith rode Zulu and scored a 75, Fallyn Belcastro received a 67.33 for her ride on Kobe, Jacqueline Needle scored a 76 on Needle, and Emma Schweizer secured a 78 on Blue. 

After Sweet Briar beat Dartmouth 6-4 on the other side of the bracket, the 2024 national championship will be a repeat of the past two title meets. Lynchburg squares off with the Vixens on Saturday, April 20 at 9 a.m. from the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Fla.  

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--LYN--