July 9, 2007

Columbia, S.C. – Head Women’s Golf Coach Kristi Coggins announced South Carolina’s 2007 women’s golf signing class today. The class consists of Elizabeth Freeman (Anderson, S.C./Westside) and Erika Holmen (Gothenburg, Sweden).

“When we were out recruiting for this class, we were looking for consistency and additional depth in our lineup. Elizabeth Freeman and Erika Holmen will bring that and we are excited to have them join us.”

Coggins and the Gamecocks finished fourth at the Southeastern Conference Championship in 2007, marking the fourth time in the last seven seasons that South Carolina has finished among the top four at the SEC Championship. The Gamecocks competed at the 2007 NCAA East Regional, marking the team’s ninth consecutive post-season appearance under Coggins and the 12th post-season trip in Coggins’ 13 years at the helm of the program.

Elizabeth Freeman
Anderson, S.C./Westside

High School
Attended Westside HS in Anderson, S.C., where she was coached by Paul Brown … Ranked as the No. 2 player in the state of South Carolina … Competed alongside fellow Gamecock Taylor Barrett for the victorious South Carolina team at the 2005 Georgia-South Carolina Girls’ Junior Challenge Match … Earned all-state and all-region honors as a junior … Finished third at the Class 4A State Championship … Won the AJGA’s Ashworth Junior at South Padre Island, Texas … That event was the first AJGA event in which she competed … Runner-up at the 2006 Women’s South Carolina Golf Association Junior Girls Championship … Tied for fifth at the Joe Cheves Junior Invitational … Ranked as the No. 2 student in her class of 415 students … Regional medalist as a sophomore earned all-region and most valuable player honors … Member of the National Honor Society and Beta Club.

Personal
Elizabeth Freeman was born October 17, 1989 … Daughter of Brad and Tammy Freeman … Competed in gymnastics for seven years as a youngster.

Kristi Coggins Regarding Elizabeth Freeman: “Elizabeth is an outstanding player and an outstanding young lady as well. She is rated very high academically. Her passion for the game of golf and for the Gamecocks will take her far. She’s a great putter and a great competitor. She loves the game and loves to compete.”

Erika Holmen
Gothenburg, Sweden

High School
Originally from Gothenburg, Sweden, where she is ranked 18th in the Swedish Golf Federation rankings … Flew overseas to compete in the 2006 Napa River Grill Cardinal Cup hosted by the University of Louisville and finished 12th on the individual leader board with a 72-75-80=227 (+11) … She led the event after the first two rounds … Won the 2007 Kungsbacka Open with a 75-72=147 (+5) and finished as the runner-up at the Sotenas Junior Open with a 74-76=150 (+6) … Played in 18 events in 2006, winning the Riksbyggen Open and posting 12 top-10 finishes … Member of the Junior Elite Team of Gothenburg.

Personal
Erika Holmen was born November 14, 1988 … Daughter of Christer and Yvonne Holmen.

Kristi Coggins Regarding Erika Holmen: “Erika is having a great summer right now. She just finished fourth in one of the biggest junior tournaments in Sweden. She is a very consistent player and is a good long-ball hitter. She has a passion for the game and can step up and make an immediate impact for this team.”