May 27, 2008

COLUMBIA, S.C. - South Carolina sophomore Bénédicte Toumpsin earned spots on the National Golf Coaches Association (NGCA) All-East Region and honorable mention All-America teams, the organization announced at its year-end banquet on Friday. Toumpsin is the first Gamecock to earn the honors since Kristy McPherson became an NGCA All-American for the third time in 2003.

"These awards are a great accomplishment for Bénédicte and reflect well on our program," South Carolina head coach Kalen Anderson said. "I look for this to be just the beginning of her success and ours in the future."

An All-SEC selection earlier this season, Toumpsin wrapped up her sophomore campaign with a 74.03 average to rank eighth in the SEC and 29th in the country. That number is also fourth in South Carolina history, behind McPherson's three All-America seasons. Toumpsin was named Golfweek Female Golfer of the Week on May 12 after winning the NCAA East Regional with a career-best score of 214, the first collegiate victory of her career. She was the team's top finisher in nine of the Gamecocks' 11 tournaments this season, including five top-five finishes.