<html>
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=Windows-1252">
</head>
<body>
<h1 dir="ltr" style="text-align: right; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; margin: 0in; font-family: Impact, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<span style="text-transform: none;"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"><b><u>BAYLOR ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS – Jan. 26, 2026</u></b></span></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; color: black;"><b>Baylor EQ Alums Named to NCEA Distinguished Alumni Class of 2026</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; 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="c29c3026-31cc-4961-bc37-bb138fab0ab5" style="color: purple; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">zach_babajanofrustr1@baylor.edu</a></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>WACO, Texas –</b> Former Baylor equestrian riders Sam Howell and Dr. Meghan Murphy were two of nine former collegiate equestrians to earn the 2026 NCEA Distinguished Alumni
Award, announced by the National Collegiate Equestrian Association. </span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">These awards are presented to women who, after the completion of their undergraduate degree at an NCEA institution, have made significant contributions in a professional field
following their time as student-athletes. </span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Distinguished alumni are recognized in nine categories, including</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: black;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: black;">Business,
Community Engagement, Education, Equine Industry (Rider/Trainer/Coach), Equine Industry (Medical/Pharmaceutical), Equine Industry (Professional Rider), Health Science/Services, Media & Communication and Young Alumni. </span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: black;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: black;">Howell was selected as the Community Engagement recipient, recognizing her success in the front lines of national security and advising commissions. Howell was on the squad from
2015-2019, earning four MOP awards in Flat during her tenure as a Bear. She was also named an Academic All-American while at BU. </span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: black;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: black;">Dr. Murphy was selected as the Equine Industry (Medical) recipient, recognizing her success within the equine veterinary industry. Murphy currently serves as the Team Veterinarian
for Texas A&M’s Equestrian team. Murphy competed with Baylor in Horsemanship from 2008-2012, contributing to the Bears’ 2010 Big 12 Championship. </span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: black;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Each NCEA team had the opportunity to nominate one alumni in each category. The nominations were reviewed by a selection committee and shared with the NCEA Board of Directors. </span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The 2026 Distinguished Alumni will be recognized during the NCEA National Championship in Ocala, Fla., April 15-18. More details about the time will be announced at a later
date. </span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>2026 NCEA Distinguished Alumni Awards</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>Business:
</b>Jada Taylor (TCU)</span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>Community Engagement:
</b>Sam Howell (Baylor)</span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>Education:
</b>Grace Sanders (Auburn)</span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>Equine Industry (Coach):
</b>Anna Becker (Auburn)</span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>Equine Industry (Medical):
</b>Dr. Meghan Murphy (Baylor)</span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>Equine Industry (Professional Rider):
</b>Michelle Morris Handler (Georgia)</span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>Health Science:
</b>Dr. Allie Moore (Auburn)</span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>Media & Communication:
</b>Mykaela Waterfield (UT Martin)</span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>Young Alumni:
</b>Madyson Buchanan (TCU)</span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b> </b></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; margin: 0in;">
<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>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; margin: 0in;">
<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>
<div id="ms-outlook-mobile-body-separator-line" data-applydefaultfontstyles="true" style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_MSFontService, -apple-system, Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" dir="ltr">
<div style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_MSFontService, -apple-system, Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" dir="ltr">
<br>
</div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_MSFontService, -apple-system, Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" id="ms-outlook-mobile-signature">
<div dir="ltr" style="margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">
<br>
</div>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, Aptos_MSFontService, -apple-system, Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: black;">__________________________________________</span></p>
<p style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, Aptos_MSFontService, -apple-system, Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">
<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; font-family: Aptos, Aptos_MSFontService, -apple-system, Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">
<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; font-family: Aptos, Aptos_MSFontService, -apple-system, Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: black;">C: 813-817-2451</span></p>
<p style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, Aptos_MSFontService, -apple-system, Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 3pt; color: black;"> </span></p>
<p style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, Aptos_MSFontService, -apple-system, Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">
<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: 100%; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"></a></span></p>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">
<br>
</div>
</div>
</body>
</html>