Three Pioneers Named NCEA Ariat All-Americans
4/8/2025 4:10:00 PM | Equestrian
Hwalek, Skelton, Grimes all earn second team recognition
FAIRFIELD, Conn. - Three members of the Sacred Heart equestrian team have earned Ariat NCEA All-America recognition. Kylie Hwalek and Rebecca Skelton were each selected to the fences second team, while Emma Grimes was named second team in flat.Â
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The trio has helped the Pioneers to another very successful season. Sacred Heart captured the Zone II Region IV championship and earned a spot in the IHSA National Championship, set for May 2-4 at Tryon International in North Carolina.   Â
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Earlier this spring, all three earned All-ECAC honors following the ECAC SD Championship.Â
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At the Zone 2 Region 4 Championship, Hwalek was the Champion Open Rider which qualifies her for the Cacchione Cup.Â
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The top five riders per event were selected and named the Ariat First-Team All-America by the NCEA Selection Committee. The next five riders per event earned Second Team honors. Honorable Mention honorees were selected via the established criteria below.Â
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There is no limit on how many riders receive this award, provided they meet the following criteria:Â
·       Must have a 67 percent or higher winning percentage, excluding tiesÂ
·       Must have competed in a minimum of 67% of team's NCEA qualifying regular season meets as defined in the rule bookÂ
·       Have at least an adjusted NRS score of:Â
       o   85 for flatÂ
       o   90 for fencesÂ
       o   80 for horsemanshipÂ
       o   75 for reiningÂ
Â
The trio has helped the Pioneers to another very successful season. Sacred Heart captured the Zone II Region IV championship and earned a spot in the IHSA National Championship, set for May 2-4 at Tryon International in North Carolina.   Â
Â
Earlier this spring, all three earned All-ECAC honors following the ECAC SD Championship.Â
Â
At the Zone 2 Region 4 Championship, Hwalek was the Champion Open Rider which qualifies her for the Cacchione Cup.Â
Â
The top five riders per event were selected and named the Ariat First-Team All-America by the NCEA Selection Committee. The next five riders per event earned Second Team honors. Honorable Mention honorees were selected via the established criteria below.Â
 Â
There is no limit on how many riders receive this award, provided they meet the following criteria:Â
·       Must have a 67 percent or higher winning percentage, excluding tiesÂ
·       Must have competed in a minimum of 67% of team's NCEA qualifying regular season meets as defined in the rule bookÂ
·       Have at least an adjusted NRS score of:Â
       o   85 for flatÂ
       o   90 for fencesÂ
       o   80 for horsemanshipÂ
       o   75 for reiningÂ
Players Mentioned
Tuesday, April 16
Friday, March 08
Friday, February 23
Friday, February 16
