Feb. 6, 2003

COLUMBIA, S.C. - South Carolina golfer Kristy McPherson, basketball player Jocelyn Penn, and track athlete Demetria Washington will all be recognized for their achievements in athletic competition on February 8 as Columbia celebrates National Girls and Women in Sports Day. An exhibition will be held at the State Fairgrounds at the Ellison Building from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free to the public, but parking is $1.

Receiving the Inspirational Athlete of the Year award is McPherson who, less than a year ago, led the Carolina golf team to the SEC Championship and participation at the NCAA Championships. McPherson is back this year to lead a talented, young Carolina golf squad to another SEC Championship.

Penn will receive the Team Athlete of the Year Award. Last year, Penn led the women's basketball team to the Elite Eight and a sixth-place national ranking in one of the most successful seasons in Gamecock basketball history.

Track athlete Demetria Washington is the recipient of the Individual Athlete of the Year award. In 2002, Washington helped lead the Gamecock Women's Track and Field to the school's first national championship. Washington currently has the fastest time in the world this year in the 400m dash at 52.36. That mark has automatically qualified her for the NCAA Championships, where Carolina has finished in the top four the past three years.

This is the 17th annual celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day, organized jointly by the Girl Scouts of the USA, Girls Incorporated, the National Association for Girls and Women in Sport, the Women's Sports Foundation, and the YWCA of the USA.