May 6, 2013

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina freshman Sarah Schmelzel has been named to the SEC Women’s Golf All-Freshman Team, the conference announced Monday.

Schmelzel has been one of the Gamecocks’ most consistent golfers this season and was the team’s top finisher in four tournaments.

“I’m very excited for Sarah,” South Carolina head coach Kalen Harris said. “She has been a rock in our lineup this year. There are many more great things ahead for Sarah in her Gamecock career. She is a highly talented and highly driven individual.”

A native of Phoenix, Ariz., Schmelzel leads the team and ranks 19th in the SEC with a stroke average of 74.64, which is currently the best average for a freshman in school history. She is tied for the team lead with three top-20 finishes, including a tie for eighth showing at the SEC Championship and a third-place finish at the Bryan National Collegiate. She also leads the team in rounds of par or better with eight.

Schmelzel and the Gamecocks will be back on the course on May 9-11 in the NCAA West Regional at the Stanford Golf Course in Stanford, Calif.

2013 SEC Women's Golf AwardsSEC Coach of the YearMic Potter, Alabama
SEC Golfer of the YearStephanie Meadow, Alabama
SEC Freshman of the YearEmma Talley, Alabama
SEC Scholar-Athlete of the YearStephanie Meadow, Alabama
All-SEC TeamsFirst-Team All-SECStephanie Meadow, Alabama (SEC Championship Medalist)Camilla Hedberg, FloridaErica Popson, TennesseeEmilie Burger, GeorgiaEmily Tubert, ArkansasAlly McDonald, Mississippi StateKendall Martindale, VanderbiltMadelene Sagstrom, LSU
Second-Team All-SECEmma Talley, AlabamaIsabelle Lendl, FloridaManuela Carbajo Ré, GeorgiaGaby Lopez, ArkansasLauren Stratton, VanderbiltJennifer Kirby, AlabamaMarta Sanz, AuburnHannah Collier, Alabama
SEC All-Freshman TeamEmma Talley, AlabamaManuela Carbajo Ré, GeorgiaGaby Lopez, ArkansasSarah Schmelzel, South CarolinaJenny Hahn, VanderbiltRegina Plasencia, ArkansasKailey Walsh, GeorgiaSarah Harris, Kentucky