Sept. 22, 2014

WACO, Texas - Baylor's equestrian team, a national quarterfinalist last season, begins the 2014-15 season ranked No. 5 by the NCEA selection committee.

Defending champion Georgia takes the No. 1 spot, South Carolina is ranked second, Big 12 foe Oklahoma State is third and Auburn fourth. The Bears check in at fifth ranked above Kansas State at sixth, TCU at seventh, Texas A&M at eight, New Mexico State at ninth and SMU rounds out the 10-team poll.

Baylor finished the 2013-14 season at 8-7 overall, the Bears were runner ups at the Big 12 Championships, and BU defeated UT Martin in the opening round of the NCEA Championships before falling to the eventual national champion, Georgia, in the quarterfinals.

The Bears open the 2014-15 season this weekend at the Willis Family Invitational at home at the Willis Equestrian Center.

The meet is a four-team round robin featuring Baylor, UT Martin, SMU and Fresno State. Unlike any of the other meets this season, each individual matchup does not count as a victory, the school with the best record at the end of the round robin is the tournament winner, and will be credited with one win for the season.

2014-15 NCEA Preseason Rankings
1. Georgia
2. South Carolina
3. Oklahoma State
4. Auburn
5. Baylor
6. Kansas State
7. TCU
8. Texas A&M
9. New Mexico State
10. SMU