DIVISION I WOMEN'S NATIONAL INTERCOLLEGIATE CHAMPIONSHIP
TOURNAMENT HISTORY
The USPA Division I Women’s National Intercollegiate Championship (NIC) is part of the United States Polo Association's Intercollegiate/Interscholastic (I/I) polo program, which is dedicated to growing the sport by providing maximum exposure, recruiting collegiate and scholastic institutions, coordinating activities and organizing competition. Supporting this mission, the I/I program has experienced tremendous growth in recent years, including the development of Division I and Division II polo, which increases the number of emerging teams competing in competitive games at every level.
Division assignments are based on the strength of teams as determined by rosters, a team's regular season scores, and the strength of their schedule. Men's and women's teams from the same school are not required to play in the same division, allowing teams to participate at an appropriate level. Teams are able to move back and forth between the divisions from year to year to accommodate for student matriculation and annual roster changes.
In 1976, the Women’s Intercollegiate Championship for the Katydid Farm Women's Intercollegiate Polo Trophy was introduced, and Yale University took home top honors. Today, the NIC provides an opportunity for collegiate players from all corners of the United States to come together and compete for the historic trophy.
Dominating the competition in the early 80s, University of California Davis (UC Davis) earned the championship five times, including an impressive run of four consecutive wins from 1980 to 1983. Cornell University currently holds the record for the most women's NIC victories, amassing 15 titles spanning five decades. Other notable champions include University of Virginia (UVA) claiming 11 titles and the University of Connecticut (UCONN) with seven victories.
In 2019, the men and women of Texas A&M University (TAMU) became the second team in history since the University of California Davis (UC Davis) in the 80s to complete a rare "double-double," back-to-back victories from both the Division I teams. In 2022, the men and women of the University of Virginia also earned double awards on home turf at Virginia Polo Inc. in Charlottesville, Virginia.
In 2024, the finale came down to a rematch between defending champions Texas A&M University (Josie Dorsey, Cara Kennedy, Olivia Reynolds, Francesca Felhaber) and the University of Virginia (Mackenzie Craig, Lea Jih-Vieira, Alana Benz, Philipa Harris, Hannah Thomas). Determined by a slim margin, Benz led UVA in a breakout fifth chukker to overcome a two-goal deficit and pull the Cavaliers into the lead. Tied with moments remaining in regulation, Benz stepped up to the penalty line and delivered UVA the 14-13 victory. Read article here.
Returning to the Lone Star State for the first time since 2014, this year's edition of the Division I Women's National Intercollegiate Championship will be hosted by the DFW Polo Association, with all games to be played at Prestonwood Polo & Country Club, in Oak Point, Texas. Established in 2023, the DFW Polo Association brings together several
Dallas-area polo clubs that have banded together to enhance the polo experience, increase participation and promote competition in the Dallas/Fort Worth areas.
The Division I Women's qualifying tournament will take place on Wednesday, March 26, between University of South Carolina-Aiken and Southern Methodist University (SMU) to determine who will advance to the Championship tournament semifinals.
Reigning champion UVA returns to defend its title and vie for a monumental twelfth triumph. 2024 finalists TAMU will attempt to avenge last year's loss and reclaim the podium for the second time in three years, as California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), SMU and University of South Carolina-Aiken each aim for its first Division I titles.
Photo: 2024 Division I Women's National Intercollegiate Championship Winners: University of Virginia - Alana Benz, Mackenzie Craig, Lea Jih-Vieira, Philipa Harris, Hannah Thomas. ©Oana Moore
