Sept. 15, 2015

WACO, Texas – Baylor’s equestrian team, fresh off a national quarterfinals season, will open their 2015-16 campaign ranked No. 3 by the NCEA Selection Committee.

Georgia, the 2015 runner-up, edged out last year’s NCEA National Champion, South Carolina, for the No. 1 spot in the polls. The Gamecocks open the season at No. 2 after winning their third overall national title this past April.

Auburn and Fresno State took the fourth and fifth spot, while Big 12 opponent Oklahoma State starts the season at No. 6.

Texas A&M is No. 7, while TCU (No. 8), SMU (No. 9), and New Mexico State (No. 10), close out the preseason top-10.

Baylor finished last season with a 14-5 record, including a sweep of the conference tournament to earn the Big 12 Championship.

The Bears defeated Oklahoma State to open the NCEA National Championship before narrowly falling to eventual national champion South Carolina.

Baylor will open the 2015-16 season October 9-10 at the Willis Family Invitational at home at the Willis Equestrian Center.

2015-16 NCEA Preseason Rankings
1. Georgia
2. South Carolina
3. Baylor
4. Auburn
5. Fresno State
6. Oklahoma State
7. Texas A&M
8. TCU
9. SMU
10. New Mexico State

-BU-