Lady Eagle Golf signs two for 2012-2013 season

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Two east Tennessee products have signed to play women's golf at Carson-Newman College beginning in 2012-2013, C-N head coach Mandy Moore announced Tuesday.

Bearden High School's Kelli Pemberton and Powell High School's Meridith Hawkins have signed with the Lady Eagles during the early signing period.

"I feel very fortunate to have been able to sign these two young ladies this year," Moore said. "Not only have they proven themselves on the golf course, but they are both great students as well.  Their passion for the game, competitiveness, and tournament experience will ease their transition into collegiate golf.  I expect that they will contribute right away as freshmen and have successful careers at Carson-Newman."

Pemberton is a standout in both golf and swimming and at Bearden. She was the District Champion this fall as a senior, and has been the regional runner-up in her last two seasons. She also finished in the Top10 at the TSSAA State Tournament as a senior.

The 5-foot-6, Knoxville native has been named All-KIL three times and has been an All-Prep Extra honoree each of the last two seasons. As a junior, she Bearden to a state runners-up finish as a team, as well as two district titles and two regional titles during her four high school seasons. In swimming, Pemberton helped Bearden to three-straight state runners-up finishes. She is a member of the National Junior Honors Society.

Hawkins comes to C-N after four record-setting years at Powell High School. She led her team to three District 3-AAA championships in four years. As an individual, she qualified for the TSSAA State Tournament three times during her high school career.

Hawkins holds a number of high school records, and is a three-time All-Prep Extra selection, including a first-team spot as a senior. She has been named first team All-KIL three times during her career at Powell. In the classroom, she holds a 4.0 GPA as an honor student.

 The Lady Eagles are the reigning South Atlantic Conference Champions, and have won the conference tournament in two of the program's three seasons of competition.