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<h1 align="right" style="text-align:right"><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;text-decoration:none">BAYLOR ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS – June 24, 2024<o:p></o:p></span></b></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">EQ: Get to Know Avery Mortman</span></b><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size:10.5pt;color:black;background:white">Get to Know Baylor’s Equestrian Student-Athletes<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size:10.5pt;color:black;background:white"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt">For more information contact:
</span></b><span style="font-size:9.0pt">Brent Ingram; 210-845-8651, </span><a href="mailto:brent_ingram@baylor.edu"><span style="font-size:9.0pt">brent_ingram@baylor.edu</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size:9.0pt">
</span></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><b><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Editor’s Note:
</span></i></b><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">This is the sixth of a Summer series allowing the Baylor fans to get to know some of the elite student-athletes from the equestrian team on BaylorBears.com.
<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">A rising sophomore out of Magnolia, Texas, Avery Mortman joined the Bears for the 2023 season. A product of Legacy Preparatory Christian Academy in The Woodlands, Mortman
had a decorated prep career that included top-10 finishes in multiple events at the 2023 All-American Quarter Horse Congress, the 2022 NSBA World Show, the 2020, 2021 and 2022 AQHYA World Shows.
<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">At what age did you begin competing in equestrian events?
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Avery Mortman:</span></i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"> 5 years old
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Why did you start competing in equestrian / under what circumstances did you begin?
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">AM:</span></i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"> My parents tried to get me to try all the sports. One day my dad signed me up for riding lessons
once a week and suddenly I was hooked. Our family friends also had horses, which they showed competitively, and I started riding with them when I was five and then began showing.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">What is your earliest memory of riding?
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">AM:</span></i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"> Showing “leadline” at The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo on my first horse, being led by my
dad. There is a pretty iconic picture of me lying on my saddle horn and my horse, “Emma” posing perfectly. I was about 5.</span><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Who is a current/former collegiate or professional athlete whom you admire and why?
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">AM:</span></i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"> A former collegiate athlete that I admire so much is one of my best friends, Harley Huff. She
was on the OSU Equestrian Team for 4 years and claimed Big 12 Rider of the Year each of those years. She is an incredible rider and person. She inspires me to always work hard and is always is there to offer me advice inside and outside of the pen.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">What family members have made the biggest impact on your life and why?
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">AM:</span></i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"> I have a family of four. My mom, Michelle, my Dad, Michael, and my little sister, Savannah.
Each of my family members has supported and encouraged me equally in different ways. However, my dad spent most of my childhood and teenage years on the road with me taking me to different shows around the country. I have so many fond memories of those trips
and will cherish them forever. My dad has not only physically supported me but has always challenged and pushed me to be my best inside and out of the arena.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">What are your strengths in your discipline? What are the areas you are currently trying to work on the most?
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">AM:</span></i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"> I am really great at finding the positives. Even if I have a bad go or did not place as well
as I hoped, I am able to look at things from a bigger-picture perspective and understand that the sport of Equestrian is very subjective. One bad go does not (usually) make or break you, there is always another show. However, sometimes I struggle with the
stress and amount of pressure I put on myself. While I know I will be okay with the different outcomes, I want to do well. At big shows especially, I find myself putting too much pressure on myself which usually results in me doing worse.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Why did you decide to attend Baylor?
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">AM:</span></i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"> The minute I stepped on campus I just knew. I never really used to believe people when they
said that, but then I visited Baylor. After my visit, there were no questions it was Baylor. My faith has been a huge part of my life and story for most of my teenage years and I knew that Baylor would allow me to cultivate relationships and a life centered
in Christ. I could not imagine attending any other school.</span><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">What is your academic major and why did you select that major?
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">AM:</span></i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"> My major is in Journalism, specifically PR with a minor in entrepreneurship. I am hoping to
enter the collegiate sports field within the business/marketing side. </span><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">What are your career goals and why do you have an interest in pursuing that particular career?
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">AM:</span></i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"> I have always enjoyed college athletics, it just brings a different passion and energy than
professional. I think college is such an influential period of athletes' lives and to get the chance to be surrounded by them and potentially get to influence and impact them would be so cool.</span><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Have there been any big obstacles that you have had to overcome in your life? How did you overcome them and how did that experience help shape you?
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">AM:</span></i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"> In 2018 my house was struck by lightning (twice) while I was home by myself. My entire life
was in shambles in a matter of minutes. I was displaced from my home for 11 months and was also in the process of moving schools at the time. Life did an entire 180, but so did I. During this time, I found my faith and testimony to God and His great love.
Since then, my relationship with God has shaped every single day of my life. </span>
<b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">What do you enjoy doing outside of equestrian and school?
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">AM:</span></i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"> I love spending time with my family and friends. There is nothing better than quality time with
the people you love. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Do you have any pets?
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">AM:</span></i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"> I have 5 dogs (Beau, Baylor, Abbie, Duke, and Porter) and 8 horses (Gumy, Nolan, Nelly, Bella,
Comet, Buttercup, Kelly, Emma).</span><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">What is something most people might not know about you?
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">AM:</span></i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"> I</span><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">
</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">am an extremely good parallel parker.</span><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">What would you most like to be known for as a Baylor student-athlete?
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">AM:</span></i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"> Funny enough, I don’t aim to exactly be remembered or known for what I do inside the arena or
classroom, but more so for what I can do within the community of my team and Baylor athletics as a whole. Baylor is such a special place with so many special people and I would love to be a part of all they are doing, specifically within Ministry. Sports Ministry
has already been so influential in my day to day life and connection with my team, and it is my goal to help and encourage others to know Christ more.</span><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">What advice would you give to a young girl who would like to one day be in your shoes?
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">AM:</span></i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"> To a lot of faith, patience and gratitude, because one day you’ll look back and be exactly where
you prayed to be.</span><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" align="center" style="text-align:center"><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">- BaylorBears.com -</span></i><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">-- <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#385623;mso-ligatures:none">Brent Ingram</span></b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#385623;mso-ligatures:none"> </span><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">|
Assistant AD for Communications</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Men’s Tennis Sport Program Administrator<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Department of Athletics | Baylor University</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">C: 210-845-8651</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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