The prestigious All American recognition honors athletes who have contributed significantly to their teams while meeting high standards in competition and training. The All-American teams also serve as the foundation for the selection of Athlete of the Year Finalists—with one ultimate Athlete of the Year selected from each division. This award is given to one rower or coxswain in each division who exemplifies the pinnacle of competitive achievement, character, and leadership.
The below list contains the finalists for the Athlete of the Year award.
Annika Jeffery, Stanford University
“It has been a privilege to coach Annika. She is one of the finest leaders and most competitive student-athletes we have ever had at Stanford. A two-time NCAA Champion, four-time Conference Champion, and three-time All-Academic recipient, her record is extraordinary — but what sets Annika apart is who she is as teammate and friend. She is a natural bridge-builder who elevates everyone around her. Her positive demeanor instills confidence in others and brings out the best in everyone. I am a much better coach for having had the opportunity to work with Annika and just so incredibly proud of her.” – Coach Derek Byrnes
Meg Flanagan, University of Tennessee
“For four years, Meg has helped build the foundation of our team’s success. Her relentless work ethic, competitive drive, and commitment to excellence have made her a cornerstone of our program.
Whether in training, racing, or supporting her teammates, Meg has consistently set the standard. While her accomplishments on the water are remarkable, what truly sets her apart is the way she leads: with humility, toughness, and an unwavering dedication to those around her.
Meg embodies what it means to be a Lady Vol, and there is no one more deserving of this Athlete of the Year nomination.” – Coach Kim Cupini
Lucy Searle, University of Texas
“While Lucy was in our first eight last year, she may have been the team’s most improved athlete and was terrific in every aspect of being an outstanding athlete. Lucy became one of the team’s top technical rower’s, and she established a new team record on the C2 erg despite being somewhat undersized. A relentless competitor, Lucy was persistent and positive throughout the spring racing, and her ability to lift and lead her teammates was noticed by the entire team and staff. There’s no way we would have finished the way we without the leadership and ability of Lucy Searle.” – Coach Dave O’Neill
Aisha Rocek, University of Washington
“Aisha Rocek is the most complete athlete I have coached: a two‑time Olympian whose experience, humility, and competitive maturity set her apart at every level of our sport. She brings the perspective of someone who has raced and medaled on the world’s biggest stages, yet she approaches every practice as a student of the sport, eager to learn from those around her and elevate the people beside her.
Aisha’s presence transforms a team: she raises standards through consistency, composure, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Younger athletes look to her because she leads with steadiness and generosity. She embodies world‑class achievement paired with world‑class character, and she represents exactly what this award is meant to honor.” – Coach Yaz Farooq
Jolee Paulk, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
“Jolee Paulk is a fierce competitor and strong leader. She doesn’t shy away from hard work or working hard – she embraces challenges like old friends. We are so proud of her and everything she has accomplished during her time with us. It has been an honor and a privilege to be a part of her collegiate journey. The sky is the limit for this young woman!” – Coach Sami Bay
Bella Lisenby, Seattle Pacific University
“Bella fully embodies what our team is about. From being a true walk-on as a freshman to becoming Team Captain as a senior, she has always been an incredible teammate and a gifted athlete. She is a servant leader who does a great job finding the joy in the hard work. I am so proud of how she has matured not only as a rower, but as a strong, capable, and confident person who not only sets the standard high for herself and for the team, but encourages others to push for more. Well rowed, Bella!” – Coach Kenzie Waltar
Sawyer Schreiner, University of Central Oklahoma
“Sawyer is the kind of athlete every coach wants in their program. She is positive when things get tough, steady when the moment gets big, and always willing to do the work required to make herself and her teammates better. She brings toughness, maturity, and a go-getter mentality to everything she does, and her leadership has been incredibly important to our team this year. Sawyer deserves this recognition because she has earned it every day.” – Coach Luke Reynolds
Ashlyn Chaffee, Thomas Jefferson University
“Ashlyn is the prototype of lead by example. She was the first athlete I met during my interview process and right away I thought it this is a sample of what the roster is like then this job will be amazing. She was the stroke seat of our varsity 8 for her endless drive as well as an indominable spirit. She is a leader in all true forms. She is there to hype up the team when things are going well and the first athlete to say “I know we can do better” when things are not. The entire team respected her and always looked up to her. She is one of those athletes with graduation it’s hard to imagine who the next Ashlynn will be.” – Coach Ryan Hurley
Taylor Wall, Western Washington University
“Taylor is the kind of student-athlete every coach hopes to have on their team, and every teammate wants in their boat. A steady and influential presence, she has led by example both on and off the water. Taylor consistently pushes her own limits and brings out the best in those around her while maintaining a strong balance between focus and fun. Our team is better because of her, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to coach her over the past four years. This season was a fitting culmination to Taylor’s outstanding career.” – Coach Courtney Moeller
Rose Tinkjian, Tufts University
“Rose has been a foundational member of our team for the last 3 years. Both on and off the water, she has handled being a team captain, and stroke seat of the NCAA winning Varsity 8+ for three years straight with so much bravery and enthusiasm.
She has come back from injury more than once as an even better version of herself, and her ability to be in the moment and commit to the work that needs to be done is the best I’ve seen in my career. Tufts Women’s Rowing will never be the same without her, but we will be better forever for having experienced her leadership!” – Coach Ethan Maines
Linnea Darius, William Smith College
“I’ve had the chance to coach a lot of athletes, but occasionally, you come across someone who just operates on a different level. Linnea is that athlete.
What separates her is how she shows up, every single day. In the last four years, she has been central to the transformation of our team by taking responsibility not just for herself but for the entire team, and she has carried that load exceptionally well. In her senior year, she set the tone for what this team expects from each other. She raised the standard of what it means to prepare, to compete, and to lead. The results of our spring racing season and NCAA Championship are a direct result of the entire team buying these standards.
What I admire most in her is that she’s always attaching herself to something bigger than herself, and in doing that, she still elevates every space she’s in. Everything she gets involved in gets better. Linnea is someone whose presence changes the standard, and that extends well beyond athletics. She is one of the best athletes and most complete people I’ve had the privilege of coaching.” – Coach Paul Bugenhagen
Cate Barry, Princeton University
“Cate is an extraordinary athlete whose impact extends far beyond her physical talent. She is a phenomenal racer, with an ability to rise to the moment and perform when it matters most. Her competitive instincts, toughness, and confidence have made her a tremendous asset to our team throughout the season.
What makes Cate especially deserving of this recognition is that she combines elite athletic ability with exceptional leadership. She brings positivity, accountability, and energy to our team every day, and she is deeply invested in the success of those around her. Her teammates trust and respect her because she consistently leads by example.
As one of our captains for next season, Cate is well-positioned to continue shaping the culture and success of our program. This honor is a reflection not only of her achievements on the water, but also of the impact she has had on our team. We are incredibly proud to see her recognized as Lightweight Athlete of the Year!” – Coach Kate McFetridge
Charlotte Paley, Harvard University
“Charlotte was central to the squad’s IRA Silver, anchoring the 8 from the middle in all aspects, power, rhythm, purpose and energy. The squad simply would not have prospered without her. Her 2k PR of 7:14 was also rate-capped at 28! In addition, Charlotte complimented her rowing accolades with a superb showing on the academic side of the river. Charlotte was one of only a small handful of varsity athletes inducted into Phi Beta Kappa for excellence, reach, originality and rigor of her academic undertaking. Charlotte was also awarded Highest Honors in Psychology and is the recipient of the Gordon W. Allport Prize for Thesis, awarded for exceptionally high quality of research in the realm of Psychology.” – Coach John Lindberg
Brooke Ruszkiewicz, Stanford University
“Through her time at Stanford, Brooke has been the heartbeat of our team. Her maturity and resilience have been a joy to witness. She has consistently championed our team’s top spot on the erg, sat in the engine room of our Varsity 8+ all four years, and led as team captain for the last three years. Brooke has faced challenges with poise and exceptional composure, becoming a constant beacon of light for her teammates. She leads with conviction, competes with fire, and has built a legacy that will be felt long after she’s crossed the finish line for the last time. I am so proud of Brooke and all her accomplishments, she is a Stanford Light through and through and she will be sorely missed.” – Coach Lizzy Houston
