Rankings
Virginia and Wake Forest Lead WGCA Division I Fall Award Watchlists
Virginia and Wake Forest lead the Women’s Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) Division I fall award watchlists, with each program receiving four nominations across three national award categories.
Announced November 3, the watchlists recognize coaches and student athletes for their performances during the fall 2026 collegiate golf season. This marks the first time the WGCA has introduced fall watchlists for these awards.
The WGCA selected 19 coaches, 11 Player of the Year candidates and six Freshman of the Year candidates, with 20 universities represented across the three categories.
The awards include the Jackie Steinmann WGCA National Coach of the Year Presented by Golf Pride, PING WGCA Player of the Year and WGCA Freshman of the Year Presented by StrackaLine.
Virginia and Wake Forest Lead Program Representation
Virginia and Wake Forest each received four nominations, the most of any university.
Virginia head coach Ria Scott was selected for the National Coach of the Year watchlist, while Jaclyn LaHa and Zoe Cusack earned Player of the Year recognition. Cusack also appears on the Freshman of the Year watchlist.
Wake Forest head coach Kim Lewellen received a coaching nomination, with Chloe Kovelesky and Macy Pate selected for Player of the Year consideration. Benedicte Brent-Petersen represents the Demon Deacons on the Freshman of the Year watchlist.
Auburn and Duke follow with three nominations each.
Auburn is represented by head coach Melissa Luellen, Player of the Year candidate Anna Davis and Freshman of the Year candidate Gia Raad.
Duke received nominations for head coach Dan Brooks, Player of the Year candidate Rianne Malixi and Freshman of the Year candidate Mia Hammond.
Arkansas, Oregon, Princeton, Stanford, Texas and Virginia Tech each received two nominations across the three categories.
National Coach of the Year Watchlist Features 19 Coaches
The Jackie Steinmann WGCA National Coach of the Year Presented by Golf Pride watchlist includes 19 coaches across four regions.
The South, East and West regions each have five representatives, while the Central Region has four.
South Region
- Melissa Luellen, Auburn
- Janice Olivencia, Miami
- Kory Henkes, Mississippi
- Kalen Anderson, South Carolina
- Diana Cantu, Tennessee
East Region
- Ria Scott, Virginia
- Kim Lewellen, Wake Forest
- Dan Brooks, Duke
- Erika DeSanty, Princeton
- Carol Robertson, Virginia Tech
Central Region
- Laura Ianello, Texas
- Gerrod Chadwell, Texas A&M
- Shauna Taylor, Arkansas
- Christie Martens, Iowa State
West Region
- Justin Silverstein, USC
- Anne Walker, Stanford
- Derek Radley, Oregon
- Missy Farr-Kaye, Arizona State
- Alicia Um Holmes, UCLA
Virginia and Wake Forest Place Two Players Each on Player of the Year Watchlist
The PING WGCA Player of the Year watchlist features 11 golfers representing nine universities.
Virginia and Wake Forest are the only programs with two players selected.
Virginia is represented by Jaclyn LaHa and Zoe Cusack, while Wake Forest’s Chloe Kovelesky and Macy Pate also earned recognition.
The remaining seven candidates represent Auburn, Duke, Princeton, Stanford, Arkansas, Texas and Virginia Tech.
Complete PING WGCA Player of the Year Watchlist
- Anna Davis, Auburn
- Rianne Malixi, Duke
- Thanana Kotchasanmanee, Princeton
- Meja Örtengren, Stanford
- Maria Jose Marin, Arkansas
- Farah O’Keefe, Texas
- Jaclyn LaHa, Virginia
- Zoe Cusack, Virginia
- Valentine Delon, Virginia Tech
- Chloe Kovelesky, Wake Forest
- Macy Pate, Wake Forest
Zoe Cusack Earns Recognition on Both Player Watchlists
Six golfers from six universities were named to the WGCA Freshman of the Year Presented by StrackaLine watchlist.
Virginia’s Zoe Cusack is the only golfer selected for both Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year consideration.
Auburn, Duke, Alabama, Oregon and Wake Forest each have one freshman represented alongside Virginia.
Complete WGCA Freshman of the Year Watchlist
- Gia Raad, Auburn
- Mia Hammond, Duke
- Manon Petitcolas, Alabama
- Celina Yeo, Oregon
- Zoe Cusack, Virginia
- Benedicte Brent-Petersen, Wake Forest
WGCA to Continue Recognizing Candidates During Spring Season
The November announcement introduces fall watchlists for the three Division I awards, providing recognition before the spring collegiate season.
The WGCA plans to continue highlighting coaching and player performances throughout the spring.
Founded in 1983, the Women’s Golf Coaches Association represents more than 750 collegiate golf coaches throughout the United States. The organization supports women’s college golf through education, promotion and recognition of coaches and student athletes.
Sources
WGCA Official Division I Fall Award Watchlists, November 3, 2026 (PDF)
