Announcing the 2026 Athlete Watchlist

As the spring season gets underway we wanted to take a moment to recognize the top athletes and top emerging talent across the entire landscape of men’s collegiate rowing. The caliber of rowing within the IRA is strong in part due to the character, leadership, drive, and performance of the 82 athletes chosen for this year’s list from a record number of nominees submitted by the coaches of IRCA member schools.

It is comprised of IRA National Champions, World Champions, Olympians, U23 and Henley Royal Regatta medalists, team captains, future national team athletes, and breakout rowers and coxswains from all three divisions. They are valued leaders at their institutions, trail blazers within their programs, and continue to raise the standard for performance and sportsmanship in D1/D2, D3, and lightweight men’s rowing.