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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"><b><u>BAYLOR ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS Nov. 13, 2025</u></b></span></h1>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; color: black;"><b>Baylor EQ Announces Eight Signees for 2026-27</b></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>For more information contact:
</b>Zach Babajanof-Rustrian; 813-817-2451, </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; color: purple;"><u><a href="mailto:zach_babajanofrustr1@baylor.edu" data-outlook-id="53f68ce4-a851-4982-aeb2-95b8d2c8ebf2" style="color: purple; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">zach_babajanofrustr1@baylor.edu</a></u></span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>WACO, Texas </b> The Baylor equestrian program has signed eight new Bears for the 2026-27 roster, announced Wednesday. </span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Head Coach Casie Maxwell brings on four Jumping Seat riders along with four for Western, including one Reiner and three for Horsemanship. </span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">We are very excited about the 2026 recruiting class and what they will bring to our program, said Maxwell. These ladies bring great energy and experiences with them that
can really help enhance our program. They found their home in the Baylor community and we cant wait to help them grow during their time with us. </span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b><u>Jumping Seat</u></b></span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>Ava Berman Baltimore, Md. Garrison Forest </b></span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">2025 National Horse Show Reserve Champion 33 Large Junior Hunters 16-17
2025 Devon Horse Show Champion 33 Large Junior Hunters
2024 Pennslyvania National Horse Show
Reserve Champion 33 Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under
2024 Capital Challenge Reserve Champion 33 Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under
2024 Junior Hunter Finals Reserve Champion 33 Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under
2022 American Gold Cup 33 Junior Hunter Classic
Winner
2021 NAL Childrens Hunter Finals Winner
2020 Capital Challenge Champion Childrens Hunters
Volunteers as a camp helper and at blood drives
Intends to major in Interior Design at Baylor
Related to Jason Berman, president of A/Vantage Pictures
and a movie producer
Daughter to Heidi Kenny-Berman and Steven Berman
Has three older siblings, Jason Berman, Erin Berman-Welsh and Ben Berman. </span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>Scarlett Heller Westlake Village, Calif. Greenways Academy </b></span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Earned third place at the 2025 SCHSA Challenge Medal Finals
Earbed third place at the 2025 USHJA 33 Jumping Seat Finals
Multiple top finishes at major USEF rated shows
Outside of equestrian, plays tennis
Volunteers with the Cancer Cartel Foundation by offering riding lesson experience for charity
Intends to major in Apparel Merchandising at Baylor
Related to Heather Heller, Grammy and MTV VMA award-winning producer
Daughter to Heather and Terry Heller
Has two older siblings, Julian and Ashley Heller. </span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>Lily Stewart Carbondale, Colo. ICL Academy </b></span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">2024 USHJA Hunt Seat Finals Top 15
2024 Vegas National Horse Show Reserve Champion Large Junior Hunters 15 & Under
2024 Desert International Horse Park Circuit Champion
Large Junior Hunters 15 & Under
2023 Recipient USHJA Emerging Athletes Program
Volunteers at Angel Tree and CWHJA Horse Shows
Intends to major in Business at Baylor
Related to Jackson Stewart, golfer at Rollins College
Her grandfather played golf
at the University of Miami and her uncle played golf at Rollins College
Daughter to Cresta and Travis Stewart
Has an older brother, Jackson Stewart. </span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>Xia Tabanou Rosehill, Texas Rosehill Christian School </b></span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">2025 Hamel Foundation NHS 33 Region 4 Champion
2025 National Horse Show Reserve Champion 16-17 Age Equitation
2022 USHJA Zone 7 Childrens Jumpers Reserve Champion
Most accumulated points for the 2025 $50,000 Cherry Capital Equitation Championship
Ran track and field for her high school
Member of the National Honor Society, National English Honor Society and National Athletic Honor Society
Intends to major in Business
at Baylor
Daughter to Cristina Payan and Eric Tabanou
Has an older brother, Xavier.</span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b><u>Western</u></b></span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b><i>HORSEMANSHIP</i></b></span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>Delaney Good Boone, Iowa Boone High School </b></span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Earned ninth in L1 Horsemanship at the AQHA Congress
Multiple top 10 finishes in Horsemanship and Showmanship at AQHA major shows
Played volleyball and soccer in high
school
Earned Honorable Mention for both varsity soccer and volleyball
Member of the National Honor Society
Intends to major in Business at Baylor
Daughter to Wendy and Scott Good
Has a younger brother, Andrew. </span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>Chalen Leibold Franklin, Pa. Commonwealth Charter Academy </b></span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Three-time YEDA Reserve Nation Champions in Horsemanship
Multiple AQHA Youth All-Around and Reserve high points
Outside of equestrian, she participates in dirt track racing
and works for her family business
Volunteers at the Humane Society
Daughter to Chanda and Curtis Bish
Has two older brothers, Kolton and Lenny. </span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>Ava Pope Wauconda, Ill. Wauconda High School </b></span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">2025 NSBA World Champion Novice Youth and Youth 14-18 Showmanship, Reserve World Champion Novice Youth Horsemanship
2025 AQHYA World Show top 5 finishes in L2 and L3 Showmanship,
10 finish in L1 Horsemanship, top 20 finish in L2 Horsemanship
Several top 10 and Finalist finishes in Horsemanship and Showmanship at the AQHA Level 1 Championship
Two-time YEDA National Champion
Member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society,
Future Business Leaders of America and Student Society
Earned two top five finishes in FBLA contests
Intends to major in Finance and Economics at Baylor
Daughter to Arhlene and Anthony Pope. </span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b><i>REINING</i></b></span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>Addison Coats Smithfield, N.C. Greenfield School </b></span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Multiple NRHA top 10 finishes
2023 SERHA Main Event Youth Derby Champion
2023 Florida Reining Classic Derby Champion
2025 NRHA Derby 14-18 Top Three
Outside of equestrian,
played volleyball for two years in high school
Earned most improved player in Volleyball her freshman year
Related to Mary Margret Coats, reining rider at the University of South Carolina
Her grandfather played baseball at East Carolina University and
her great grandfather played baseball at the University of North Caroline
Daughter to Kelly and Stanley Coats
Has three sisters, Mary Margret, Lauren and Avery Coats. </span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">For more information on Baylor Equestrian, follow @BaylorEQ on X, Instagram and Facebook.</span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><i> - BaylorBears</i></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: black;"><i><u>.com</u> -</i></span></p>
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<p style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(7, 61, 30);"><b>Zach Babajanof-Rustrian</b> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">|
Communications Assistant (Equestrian) </span></p>
<p style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: black;">Department of Athletics | Baylor University</span></p>
<p style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: black;">C: 813-817-2451</span></p>
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<p style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;"><a href="http://baylorbears.com/" title="http://baylorbears.com/" data-outlook-id="5e8d3c9c-ab39-4143-ba17-b5c867a14255" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><img src="cid:2C9A4FED-9687-4C6C-AB41-86531B717090" alt="signature_2230589939" id="Picture_x0020_1" width="159" height="43" style="width: 1.6666in; height: 0.4583in; max-width: 847px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"></a></span></p>
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