March 1, 2005

by Meghan Walker, USC Sports Information

Ask any member of the South Carolina women’s golf team who they expect to have a breakthrough year, and without fail the response is Jenna Pearson.

“I am glad they said that about me,” said Pearson. “I hope it’s true.”

When looking at the impressive summer that Pearson had in 2004 it is very easy to see why her teammates are expecting so much from her this year. Pearson participated in the USGA Public Links Championship, advanced all the way to the quarterfinals in match play before falling to golf phenom Michelle Wie. Pearson also participated in the U.S. Amateur Championship, advancing all the way to the round of 16.

The sophomore from Wheaton, Illinois feels no added pressure from her teammates’ high expectations.

“I try not to look at is as pressure,” Pearson said. “My teammates are supporting me, the same way that I support them.”

With all of the success that Pearson has been able to attain on the golf course, she has also been able to succeed academically and is part of a team that set a South Carolina school record for highest combined grade point average for a semester this past fall.

With her priorities set and her hard work ethic in place there is no doubt in the minds of her teammates that Pearson will live up to expectations.

“She has a really strong work ethic,” Junior Erica Battle said of her teammate. “Her ability to score will be very important to our team’s success.