WACO, Texas — The Kansas State equestrian team advanced both the Western and Hunter Seat squads to the second round of the Varsity Equestrian National Championships on Thursday. The fifth-seeded Western team cruised to an 8-0 defeat of 12-seeded Tennessee-Martin, while the Hunter Seat team tied Tennessee-Martin, 4-4, but advanced after earning the tiebreaker, 890-845.

Four Wildcat riders picked up wins for K-State in the reining section, including senior Tara Hallan and junior Kaylee Stout. Sophomore Alecia Zimbelman led the Wildcats in the reining category as she defeated Hannah Derks, 143-137. With the win, Zimbelman advanced her overall record to 10-4-1 with three MVP honors for the year. Junior Morgan Campbell upended Stephanie Sanders, 136-0, en route to a victory.

In the horsemanship category, the Wildcats were paced by senior Alyssa Freeman, who rode past Stephanie Sanders, 140.5-138, to improve her record in horsemanship to 13-3 with one MVP award on the season. Senior Jana Lechtenberg also advanced her overall record to 10-6 by defeating Kendra Leake, 145-138.5. Juniors Laura Browne and Mikaela Sundgren helped advance the Wildcats to the second day of the championships by earning victories as well.

In Hunter Seat competition, the only Wildcat rider picking up a win over fences was junior Kendall Marvin. Marvin now owns six victories on the season for K-State.

Senior Whitney Snyder guided the Wildcats on the flat advancing her overall record to 19-10-1 with five MVP honors for the year. Other riders helping K-State past the Skyhawks were seniors Paige Kovari and Leslie Yates.

Complete pairings and scores for Hunter Seat action were not available at press time.

K-State's Western squad then went on to begin second round action against No. 4 seeded Oklahoma State Thursday. K-State's horsemanship squad was defeated by the Cowgirls, 4-0, but the reining team will square off on Friday to complete the second round of competition.

The Wildcat's Hunter Seat squad also faced off against top-seeded Auburn, and battled to a 2-2 tie over fences. K-State's flat squad will go head-to-head with the Tiger's on Friday to complete second-round action.