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Equestrian team will participate in Rose Parade

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By Shirley Melikian Armbruster
Ten members of the equestrian team at Fresno State will represent the school in the 2002 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena on New Year's Day.

The Fresno State team is the only Central California participant invited to join in the 113th Rose Parade, which features floats, bands and equestrian groups.

"It is an honor to be selected to participate in the Rose Parade," said equestrian team head coach Megan McGee. "There were several hundred applicants from horse groups and only 26 were accepted. And Fresno State is the only college or university-related group among the equestrians," she said.

It is the second time Fresno State's equestrians have been invited; their previous appearance was in 1998.

McGee said the student-athletes who expressed interest in the parade made the application. Now they are seeking sponsors and raising funds to cover the anticipated $10,000 in expenses for themselves, their horses and a support crew.

The group will travel to Pasadena on Dec. 28 and participate in exhibitions and drill performances outside the Rose Bowl on Dec. 29 and 30. On Jan. 1, the student-athletes and horses join the parade formation at 1 a.m.

The Rose Parade equestrian unit members from Fresno State are:
Tiffany Washington (marshal), sophomore, Costa Mesa; Andrea Crisp, sophomore, Merced; Rena Miller, junior, Oakhurst; Shannon Morrison, sophomore, Fresno; Ida Ridgeway, senior, Colorado Springs, Colorado; Kelly Sansom, junior, Clovis; Kirsten Spencer, sophomore, Tollhouse; Michelle Tonello, sophomore, Santa Paula; Megan Wagner, junior, Fullerton; and Emilie Wentworth, sophomore, Cottonwood.

For information about the team, sponsorships or donations, call McGee at ext. 8-8385.

Back to University Journal, 12/10/01 Issue