Stanford looks to defend, Wake Forest returns key player

The only good thing about the days getting shorter and the summer fading into fall is that it means that another season of college golf is finally upon us.

As student-athletes across the country prepare to return to the classroom and the golf course after a busy summer amateur schedule, there is no shortage of storylines to watch this season. From a stacked Stanford squad set to defend its national championship and the chances of San Jose State being a thorn in their side once again to a darkhorse contender in Kentucky, here’s what we’re keeping an eye on this women’s college golf season.

MORE: All-Americans, teams to watch and more college golf previews

Will Stanford win again, this time with a Megha-infused lineup?

Stanford made it look easy for most of last season, and the defending national team champions return a loaded roster that includes the last two individual national champions in Rachel Heck and Rose Zhang, as well as star incoming freshman Megha Ganne, who boasts one of the most decorated junior golf careers in recent memory. The Cardinal are deep with seniors Brooke Seay and Angelina Ye as well as junior Sadie Englemann and sophomore Caroline Sturdza all having first-team experience.

Need we say more? Stanford is by far and away the favorite this season. — Woodard

Stanford’s Rachel Heck (left) and Rose Zhang (right) at the 2022 NCAA Championship. (Photo: Darren Reese/Stanford)

Is Wake Forest a national title contender with Emilia Migliaccio returning?

Emilia Migliaccio is back as a graduate student with the Demon Deacons after a year away, and she may help Wake Forest make that final push for a national title. Migliaccio won five times during her career at Wake Forest as an undergrad before taking a brief hiatus from college golf last season. Her return for the 2022-23 season bolsters an already impressive Demon Deacon lineup that features ANNIKA Award watch listers Rachel Kuehn (No. 13 in World Amateur Golf Ranking) and Carolina Chacarra (No. 21), who each won twice last year. With Migliaccio (No. 16) in the fold, they could make their case for one of the strongest trios in women’s college golf. Only time will tell. — Jourdan

Kentucky could make a postseason run

One team to keep an eye on during this season is Kentucky. And you may be wondering, the Wildcats? Kentucky finished tied for seventh out of 12 teams…