Waco, TX - The National Collegiate Equestrian Association announced its November Signature Academics Standout Student Athlete of the Month on Tuesday, November 27th.

Every month the NCEA recognizes student-athletes for their accomplishments in the ring, however the NCEA would like to highlight athletes on their outstanding performances outside of the ring, including academics, philanthropy, outstanding attitude, and embodiment of an ideal teammate.

Name of Athlete: Gabby Delnegro

School & Year: Delaware State University, Class of 2019 (Senior)

Hometown: Wilmington, DE 

Major: Animal and Poultry Science

Highlighted Accomplishments: Gabby transferred into DSU as a sophomore in the fall of 2016. She has a passion for horses and riding and walked on to the equestrian team. She is hardworking and one of the most passionate and positive members of the equestrian team. She gets a minimum of 25 hours of community service per semester, maintains a 3.02 GPA and has made the Hornet’s List or Dean’s List every semester she has been at DSU. She was voted Most Positive and Most Chatty at the team banquets by her teammates and frequently is given the DSU “Game Shoe” after each home competition-awarded by team captions to an individual who they felt went above and beyond to help the team throughout the day and maintained a great attitude and supportive mindset. Her love of horses and the team is tangible and unmatched. She is often the first to the barn and the last to leave and you can always find her putting in extra hours grooming horses, cleaning tack, and organizing the barn. She happily does her barn chores and her care horse, Calvin, is always clean and horse show ready.

Coach’s Comment: "Gabby is the epitome of a team player. When we look at prospective student-athlete for our team, riding ability is just as important as attitude. Gabby walked on to DSU Equestrian after transferring in her sophomore year. She is an extremely social and positive individual and from day one has been a ray of sunshine for her teammates. When asking for volunteers she is the first to drop what she is doing to help and I am never surprised when she is at the barn in her spare time giving the horses extra love and attention. Her care horse, Calvin, has to be the cleanest and most spoiled horse in the program! Her work ethic and dedication show through in all aspects of her life. She pushes herself in the weight room to get as strong as she can, she pushes herself in her ride times and never quits. I am proud of how far she has come and thrilled with the strides she has made in the saddle, but also in the classroom. She is a reliable and driven member of DSU Equestrian and I have no doubt she will be extremely successful in her future." - Jennifer Ridgely, Head Coach (Delaware State University)