The Intercollegiate Rowing Coaches Association announced the 2026 Empacher-IRCA All-Americans, which included 17 rowers from the six NESCAC schools.
Additionally, NESCAC rowers and coaches were recognized with the organization's specialty awards:
- Will Densmore, Williams - Comeback Athlete of the Year - Given to an athlete who has shown significant improvement with their perseverance, determination, and dedication.
- Eli Smirin, Wesleyan - Novice of the Year Award - Given to an athlete (oarsman or coxswain) who started their rowing career in college and has become a top tier athlete within their program and in the sport of men's collegiate rowing.
- George Munger, Tufts - Leadership Award - Given to a coach or administrator who has shown great leadership and become a role model for men's collegiate rowing.
- Trinity College - Lightweight Division III Staff of the Year Award - Nominated by the head coaches and voted on by the membership, this award recognizes the outstanding work done by the assistant coach(es), volunteer coach(es), boatmen, etc. from each division in service to their team and in support of the head coach.
- Kevin MacDermott - Lightweight Division III Coach of the Year Award - Nominated by and voted on by their peers, the Coach of the Year from each division represents the highest ideals of coaching in men's collegiate rowing. They lead by example through demonstrated mentorship, integrity, performance, and love of the sport while upholding the values of the IRCA and men's collegiate rowing.
For the fifth year in a row, the organization has acknowledged the rowers and coxswains who have distinguished themselves as some of the top performers in men's collegiate rowing with All-American honors.
In order to be named an "All-American", rowers and coxswains must have met the following criteria:
- The student-athlete must meet all eligibility rules defined by their institution
- The student must have raced in their team's varsity boat for the current spring racing season
- The student-athlete must be nominated by their institution
- The head coach of the student athlete's institution must be in good standing with the IRCA
Nominated student-athletes are then selected by the IRCA Board of Directors to "1st team", "2nd team", or "Honorable Mention" based on the following criteria:
- Strength of finish of the institution's varsity boat
- Nomination rank within institution
- Coach's comments, individual achievements, and erg score
2026 Empacher-IRCA All-Americans
| Institution |
Name |
Team |
| Trinity College |
Jackson Moore |
1st team |
| Trinity College |
Alenka Doyle |
1st team |
| Trinity College |
James McGarry |
1st team |
| Trinity College |
Wyatt Mills |
1st team |
| Tufts University |
Peter Conard |
1st team |
| Wesleyan University |
Nelson Bellows |
1st team |
| Wesleyan University |
Pierce Buckner-Wolfson |
1st team |
| Wesleyan University |
Asher Israel |
1st team |
| Williams College |
Michael LesStrang |
1st team |
| Williams College |
Myer Liebman |
1st team |
| Colby College |
Jack Childress |
2nd team |
| Colby College |
Jack Weinberg |
2nd team |
| Ithaca College |
Bryce Williston |
2nd team |
| Marietta College |
Bryce West |
2nd team |
| Marietta College |
Benjamin Harper |
2nd team |
| Skidmore College |
Grant Steinberger |
2nd team |
| Tufts University |
Theo Balavoine |
2nd team |
| Tufts University |
Aidan Keusch |
2nd team |
| Wesleyan University |
Eli Smirin |
2nd team |
| Williams College |
Jack Wagner |
2nd team |
| Catholic University |
Jonah Stofko |
Honorable mention |
| Hamilton College |
Timothy Bingenheimer |
Honorable mention |
| Washington College |
Grayson Bishop |
Honorable mention |
| WPI |
Henry Wagg |
Honorable mention |
