SYRACUSE – Wawasee has seen its fair share of athletes sign on for college opportunities. Wednesday had the school add another category to its collection.

Senior Kiersten Beckner signed on to continue her equestrian career at the University of South Carolina, marking the first known athlete from Wawasee to sign an equestrian scholarship to a Division 1 school.

Beckner’s list of accomplishments in the sport is worthy of the Division 1 upgrade. A two-time IQHYA vice president, she would ride to a top-five AQHA national championship, was a four-time AQHA top-10 finalist, eight-time top-10 and top-15 AQHA Congress, top-five AQHA Congress, AQHS Reserve Congress champion, AQHYA Youth World top-five finisher, three-time IQHA High Point Youth and a host of other AQHA championship performances, including multiple AQHA All-Around championships.

Beckner will ride for coaches Boo Major and Ruth Sorrel at South Carolina and plans to major in nursing. Beckner carries a 9.04 GPA (12-scale) and ranks No. 66 in her senior class. At Wawasee, Beckner has been part of Key Club, Dollars For Scholars and basketball.

“The coaches were extremely kind and made the university feel like home,” Beckner said. “The educational fit is perfect for me. Overall, Columbia was a perfect fit and I cannot wait to attend in the fall of 2019.”