Five Illini Named WGCA All-American Scholars
July 13, 2026 | Women's Golf
NEWS
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Five Illinois women's golf student-athletes were named Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) All-American Scholars, as announced by the association on Monday afternoon. Erica Lee, Brielle Mapanao, Alexis Myers, Anna Ritter, and Victoria Zheng each received the recognition.
Rising sophomore Alexis Myers earned the honor for the first time after a strong freshman year both on and off the course, maintaining an unblemished 4.00 GPA, while also earning Big Ten Golfer of the Week, and Big Ten Freshman of the Week, twice. Myers is studying to earn her degree in communication.
Erica Lee earned the award for the second time in her career after a junior campaign in which she set career bests in finish (8th) and low round (68, -4) at the Badger Invitational. Lee was also the team's low scorer at the NCAA Stanford Regional, carding a 219 (+6). Lee is studying to earn her degree in advertising.
Recent graduate Anna Ritter departs Illinois as a three-time WGCA All-American Scholar. Her 73.11 scoring average in 2025-26 is her career-best, and she set a new course low-round record at the Big Ten Championships, carding a 65 (-5) on opening day at Oakmont Country Club. Ritter also matched her career-best finish of fourth at the Boilermaker Spring Classic, leading the Fighting Illini to a second consecutive team title at the event. She earned her undergraduate degree in communication.
Brielle Mapanao also earned her third All-American Scholar nod, and second at Illinois. The Australia native finished her collegiate career strong, with consecutive career-best finishes at the Boilermaker Spring Classic (10th) and Big Ten Championships (T-9th). Mapanao graduated with her degree in kinesiology and an unblemished 4.00 GPA.
Victoria Zheng tallied her second WGCA All-American Scholar award in two years at Illinois. In 2025-26, she earned her new season-low scoring average (73.58), and her best finish of the season came at the Badger Invitational (T-6th), where she carded a 211 (-5). Zheng graduated with her degree in finance, and a perfect 4.00 GPA.
The Fighting Illini have had at least five student-athletes named All-American Scholars in six consecutive academic years.
In total, 1,551 women's golfers were recognized for the 2025-26 academic year. To be eligible for WGCA All-American Scholar consideration, the student-athlete must have an overall cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher, have played in 50% or more of the team's regularly scheduled competitive rounds, and remain on the roster as an amateur through the conclusion of the season.
