Forest, Va. -- In the first week of NCEA conference athlete of the week awards, Abigail Devlin and Stella Patenaude of the University of Lynchburg equestrian team were awarded both Old Dominion Athletic Conference Rider of the Week awards, announced by the conference office on Tuesday. Additionally, the Lynchburg NCEA team claimed a 2-0 start and was promoted to the top ranked team in the country in NCEA Week One Coaches Poll.

Senior Abigail Devlin was selected the ODAC Flat Rider of the Week while sophomore Patenaude was named the ODAC Fences Rider of the Week. This past weekend, the NCEA equestrian squad claimed victories over then-ranked No. 2 Charleston and Centenary. Both Devlin and Patenaude earned MOPs in their respective events, Devlin in flat against the Cougars and Patenaude in fences against the Cyclones.

Devlin and Patenaude earn their first ODAC Rider of the Week awards of their collegiate careers. In Lynchburg's 6-3 win against Charleston, Patenaude scored an 82 riding Archie in fences and earned a crucial team point. She followed up with her MOP performance in fences against Centenary with a score of 88 riding Motaz and claiming a point for the Hornets. Devlin had stellar scores in flat that earned team points in both of Lynchburg's outings. The senior scored 88 riding Caleb against Charleston, then topped her score with an 89 riding Balou versus Centenary.

Next up for the NCEA team, Lynchburg will travel to Sewanee, Tenn. to take on the University of the South on Friday, Oct. 10. To view the ODAC release for riders of the week, click here. To view the NCEA Coaches Poll, click here.

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