Sports

Collegiate equestrian faces an uncertain future with the NCAA

By Eric Wallace | Sports Writer | April 3

Lost in recent discussions of autonomy and student-athlete compensation, one of Auburn’s most successful athletic sports faces an uncertain future with the NCAA. The NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics recommended to remove equestrian from a list of emerging sports in October 2014 after the sport failed to meet the minimum of 40 schools in 10 years. According to Leah Fiorentino, executive director of the National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA), 24 schools currently sponsor equestrian at the NCAA level. While that number falls short of the NCAA requirements, recent organizational changes have many convinced the sport’s future may be brighter than it seems. “We have all these plans laid out and ready to go, but we’re just waiting in limbo for the NCAA to make a decision one way or the other,” Fiorentino said.

Gymnast embraces pressure during record season

By Andrew Monson | Sports Writer | April 3

Before she was an All-American at Auburn, and even before she was a national recruit as a teenager, Auburn gymnast Caitlin Atkinson knew she had the talent and the drive to become great. “I always kind of knew when I was younger because, even from the start, I always wanted to go more, always wanted to train more hours,” Atkinson said.

Muschamp: Secondary making steady progress early in spring practices

By CJ Holmes | Sports Writer | April 3

Days away from Auburn’s first spring scrimmage in Jordan-Hare Stadium, defensive coordinator Will Muschamp said he is pleased with the progress the secondary has made thus far this offseason as coaches continue to define roles at key positions. “We purposely, some days, throw a lot at them to see how they adjust and how they handle it,” Muschamp said.

Softball kicks off UT series with win

By David McKinney | Assistant Sports Editor | April 2

Softball kicks off UT series with win By David McKinney Assistant Sports Editor Even without the long ball, the Auburn softball team found a way to win Thursday night, April 2.

Auburn golfer Ben Schlottman named SEC Freshman Golfer of the Week

By Andrew Monson | Sports Writer | April 2

Auburn golfer Ben Schlottman named SEC Freshman Golfer of the Week Auburn’s Ben Schlottman was named SEC Freshman Golfer of the Week on Thursday, April 2 following his performances at the Schenkel Invitational and the Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate. At the Schenkel, Schlottman finished second at 11-under, including a career-low 6-under first round.

Successful track and field career ends with Smith’s SEC gold

By CJ Holmes | Sports Writer | April 2

For those who don’t know of former track and field star D.J. Smith, they may not know of one of the most storied careers in Auburn history. Originally a two-sport athlete, Smith excelled in both basketball and football, receiving high-level college interest in both sports.

Auburn swimmer selected for Pan Am Games

By Derek Thompson | Sports Reporter | April 1

Auburn junior swimmer Annie Lazor was honored with a spot on the USA Swimming roster for the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada, Wednesday, April 1. The junior will compete in the 100m and 200m breaststroke for the USA team in the third-largest international multi-sport event in the world on July 14-18. Lazor is coming off strong swims in the 2015 NCAA Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships where she and five other Tigers earned All-America honors. Touching in at 2:08.41 in the 200-yard breaststroke in the consolation final was the second-best swim in school history and a only .18 seconds shy of the school record.

Senior leads young tennis players

April 1

This season, the Auburn men’s tennis team is credited for showcasing the talents with students from around the world.

Auburn women’s tennis team loses to Miss. St.

By Patrick Lucas | Sports Writer | April 1

Auburn’s women’s tennis team headed to Starkville, Mississippi, on Wednesday, April 1, to take on SEC rival Mississippi State.

Jason Smith makes full-time move to wide receiver

By Derek Thompson | Sports Reporter | April 1

The nation’s No.1 JUCO athlete told his coaches that he wants to concentrate on being a receiver have a smaller role as a quarterback, Malzahn said.

Auburn responds to first SEC loss with Missouri victory

April 1

The No. 8 Tigers are now 35-4 after defeating the No. 20 Missouri Tigers in an away match Sunday afternoon, March 29. Both Tigers battled back-and-forth for the lead throughout the game, with a standstill tie at 4-4 in the sixth inning.

Auburn pulls away late, defeats Samford 9-4

By Sam Butler | Sports Writer | April 1

The visiting Auburn Tigers continued their winning ways Tuesday, defeating the Samford Bulldogs 9-4 behind strong performances from Anfernee Grier and Kyler Deese. The Tigers (18-11) were locked in a tight battle early, tied at three after four innings, but they broke the game open in the seventh when Deese launched a two-run homer to put Auburn up 8-4. Starter Rocky McCord threw five strong innings, allowing three runs on eight hits and five strikeouts to pick up the win, and Justin Camp closed the game to claim his fifth save of the season. Daniel Robert extended his career-best hitting streak to nine games on a double in the fourth inning, and he later scored on a single from Deese.

Softball climbs rankings to No.7

By Lauren Christopher | Sports Editor | March 31

With this weekend’s wins against the team’s third SEC opponent, Missouri, the Tigers have beaten themselves at No.8 and jumped to the seventh spot nationally in this week’s list. Inching closer to the top five, Auburn stands with a 35-4 record overall, including eight conference wins out of nine total games. Also, as of Monday, March 30, Auburn claims the third spot in the NCAA Softball RPI rankings with the help of its powerhouse-batting lineup, as well as its ability to hold the opposing defense. The Tigers will return to their home field for the first time in almost two weeks Thursday, April 2 at 6 p.m.

Niclas Carlsson taking a swing during Auburn NCAA Men's Golf Championships third round. (Courtesy of Todd Van Emst / AUBURN ATHLETICS PHOTOGRAPHER)

No. 4 Auburn men’s golf finishes tied for fifth at the Hootie

By Andrew Monson | Sports Writer | March 31

No. 4 Auburn men’s golf finishes tied for fifth at the Hootie By Andrew Monson Sports Writer The No.

Auburn women’s tennis beats ranked SEC opponent

By Patrick Lucas | Sports Writer | March 29

Auburn’s women’s tennis team took on the 18th ranked Kentucky Wildcats Sunday in the Tiger’s ninth SEC match. Auburn’s first point came by way of doubles as senior Emily Flickenger and junior Pleun Burgmans were able to win on court one 8-3. Juniors Paula de Man and Michala Kucharova won on court two in a close match that ended 8-7 (7-3). In singles, the Tigers captured three points while giving up only one. Burgmans won 6-4, 6-1 on court one while sophomore Reka Muller had a big win on court 4 over the Wildcats 121st ranked Mami Adachi.

Auburn baseball drops series finale to Mississippi State, 3-1

By Sam Butler | Sports Writer | March 29

After posting back-to-back shutouts, the Auburn Tigers weren’t able to muster enough offense to overcome a shaky sixth inning and fell 3-1 to Mississippi State in the series finale. Auburn (17-11, 3-6) fell behind early, but tied the game on Keegan Thompson’s solo home run in the third inning, which was only the fifth plate appearance for the sophomore this season and the first home run of his career.

Softball drops first SEC game

By David McKinney | Assistant Sports Editor | March 28

For the first time this season, Auburn softball left an SEC game without a victory. In a game that stretched into eight innings, Auburn found itself on the wrong end of a walk-off homer that gave Missouri a 5-4 win.

No. 6 Auburn Upsets No.1 USC to finish third at the SEC Championship

By CJ Holmes | Sports Writer | March 28

The No. 6 Auburn equestrian team upset No. 1 South Carolina 13-6 on Friday, March 28, en route to a third place finish at the SEC Championships. Auburn was impressive in College Station, winning all four events against the Gamecocks with four Tigers taking home MOP honors. Sophomore Ashley Foster beat Samantha Kraus, 168-136, and senior Demi Stiegler defeated Amber Henter, 165-157 giving Auburn an early 3-2 lead after Equitation over Fences. After earning her 36th win in Fences, junior Elizabeth Benson became Auburn’s all-time win leader in the event, which was formerly held by Jennifer Waxman, after knocking off Sydney Smith 169-158. Auburn led 6-4 at halftime and didn’t miss a beat after the intermission. After winning Reining and Horsemanship, sophomore Tory Hoft sealed the Tiger’s win by defeating Katherine Schmidt, 160-157, in Equitation of the Flat.

No. 6 Auburn equestrian loses to No. 2 Georgia at SEC Championships

By Andrew Monson | Sports Writer | March 28

The sixth-ranked Auburn equestrian team lost to No. 2 Georgia 13-6 in the semifinals of the SEC Equestrian Championships at the Hildebrand Equine Complex in College Station, Texas. Senior Demi Stiegler defeated Kylee Arbuckle in Equitation of the Flat, 144-141, and sophomore Tory Hoft defeated Leylan Gleeson, 157-145 for her seventh victory of the year. In Horsemanship, junior Allie Dusha won her fourth-consecutive match with a 145-143 victory over Kyndall Harper, earning MOP honors. Freshman Alexa Rivard, senior Katsy Leeman and junior Hailey Munger also earned victories for the Tigers in Horsemanship. Auburn will meet South Carolina in the consolation match on Saturday, March 28, at 9 a.m.

Tigers pick up second-straight shutout over Bulldogs

By Derek Thompson | Sports Reporter | March 28

Sophomore Keegan Thompson picked up his fifth win of the season as Auburn defeated Mississippi State 4-0 for its second-straight shutout Saturday in Starkville, Mississippi. Thompson allowed zero runs, one walk and four hits.