FSN 2026 Division 1 Women’s Rowing “Way Too Early” Top-25 Rankings

December 29, 2025

The For Stars Network Staff is pleased to announce our “Way Too Early” Top 25 Rankings for Division 1 Women’s Rowing ahead of the New Year. Now that Fall Racing has come to a close and teams out East make their way inside to the tanks, erg room, and getting those gains in the weight room, it was time to officially announce our “Way Too Early” Division 1 Women’s Rowing Rankings, decided upon due to results from a handful of Fall Racing Regattas and scrimmages, as well as the percentage of athletes retained from last year’s Championship Lineups, and talent headed into the 2026 Season.

The National Champions, Stanford University, tops the FSN Way Too Early Rankings for 2026. The Card succeeded in taking the Overall Points Trophy at the 2025 NCAA Rowing National Championships despite losing to Yale in the Varsity Eight in New Jersey.

Through their solid returners and dynamic additions to the team, Conference Championship win, and overall potential, it is very possible that due to how stacked beyond measure their roster is this season, Stanford may go Back-To-Back, but again, it’s “Way Too Early” to tell.

These Way-Too Early Rankings were debated by FSN’s core staffers, even including For Stars Network CEO/Founder, Hudson Forster. Ultimately, this is the general consensus of that list, and out of the 93 Women’s Division 1 Programs, notable programs such as Cornell, Iowa, Miami, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, and SMU just to mention a few, were unfortunate outliers.

Here are FSN’s Way Too Early Top 25 Rankings for 2026.

25. UCLA

2025 FSN Annual Watchlist Athletes: Sarah Brunel, Lucrezia Monaci
Biggest Losses: Angela Devine, Chloe Driver, Rachel Lande, Lucrezia Monaci, Ella Van Fleet (Coxswain)
Biggest Returners: Sarah Brunel, Danielle DeFrancisci, Kaija Frassrand, Lydia Hales, Rachel Katz, Annie Tatum (Coxswain),
Top Incoming Freshmen: Alyssa Cuban (Dallas TX), Claire Fullington [Coxswain] (Darien, CT), Eva Hauge [Coxswain] (Laguna Niguel, CA), Eden Smith (Newport Beach, CA), Lucy McGee (Cincinnati, OH)

The waters of Marina del Rey are under a state of shock with the Bruins’ new focal-point headed into the 2026 Season. Head Coach, Vanessa Tavelero will take charge of UCLA, after her recent post at California under the leadership of longtime Head Coach, Al Acosta. Although UCLA now participates in the highly-contested, Big Ten Conference, their historical battle against conference-foes USC, remains strong. UCLA has only won ONE matchup against USC in 2021 overall, and this year it’s possible for Tavelero’s crew to win big, but again, only time will tell.

24. Columbia

2025 FSN Athlete Watchlist Athletes: Isabel Bessette, Hope Gelfand, Charlotte O’Toole
2026 FSN Pre-Season Top-75: Bryn Dittrich
Biggest Losses: Charlotte O’Toole
Biggest Returners: Deanna Besart, Isabel Bessette, Bryn Dittrich, Hope Gelfand
Top Incoming Freshmen: Catherine Salvi (Wilmette, IL)

The Lions face an awfully challenging group of programs within their conference, with Brown, Harvard, Princeton, and Yale all in the Top-10. Senior, Bryn Dittrich, has been a standout for Columbia even in her early years, taking home various FSN Honors during her collegiate career, and is gearing up to lead the Lions in an extraordinary manner. She even clocked her way into the Top-75 in All of College Rowing, one of only a handful of the 93 Women’s Division 1 Rowing Programs to be selected onto the list, being the only one from her program. A native from Sarasota Springs, New York, Bryn is the true testament to representing the Big Apple.

We know that Columbia will have a lot of competition during the Regular Season, and especially at Conference Championships to ink their way into NCAA’s, so the Lions must step it up big time in order to get the Selection Committee to give them the “thumbs up” if and when they earn it in 2026.

23. Ohio State

2025 FSN Athlete Watchlist Athletes: Amelia Boes, Caroline Caudill
2026 FSN Pre-Season Top-75: Amelia Boes
Biggest Losses: Emma Alimbau-Borras
Biggest Returners: Amelia Boes, Caroline Caudill
Top Incoming Freshmen: Emma Bass (Lewis Center, OH)

The Buckeyes have had a difficult few years keeping their foot on the throttle, and have had a number of athletes enter the Transfer Portal for a new beginning, especially Emma Alimbau Borras out of Spain who is now rowing for Wes Ng and the Virginia Cavaliers. With Emma in Charlottesville, Ohio State needs to really step it up a notch. We know what they are capable of and have seen some wins when racing their rival, Michigan, but consistency might be their biggest challenge.

Amelia Boes, who cranked her way into the FSN Top-75, had a performative Summer racing with Team USA’s Under-23 Team. To qualify your way into that threshold says a lot about the potential and skill level already in motion for these high-performance athletes, so if Boes can keep up the work and strive for new heights, she may just be one to look out for in years to come. The FSN Team identified Amelia around a year ago prompting her to be selected onto our Annual Watchlist in 2025, as athletes “on the rise” and boy did we hit the nail right on the money! Meanwhile, Caroline Caudill has been on our close watch for several years now, and her teammates have nothing but excellent things to say about her both as a person and athlete overall.

With Olympic Rower and Washington Rowing Standout, Ben Davison, on Staff, the Buckeyes are in solid hands, and it’s time for the team to really dig deep in order to get back on top in the Big Ten.

22. USC

2025 FSN Athlete Watchlist Athletes: Annabel Aron, Gerli Endrekson, Louise Gyssels
2026 FSN Top-10 Breakout Coxswain: Mia Kirkorsky
2026 FSN Top-10 Under The Radar Rower: Abbie Diemer
2026 FSN Top-10 Freshman Phenom Coxswain: Grace Galipeau
Biggest Losses: Rhese Abrams, Annabel Aron, Chiara Meakin
Biggest Returners: Olivia Aceves, Annie Clark (Coxswain), Alex DeLisle, Abbie Diemer, Grace Eamer, Gerli Endrekson, Louise Gyssels, Julia Karten, Mia Kirkorsky (Coxswain), Bella Korellis, Raquel Rodriguez, Chloe Sorensen
Top Incoming Freshmen: Alex Cowan (Fairfield, CT), Grace Galipeau [Coxswain] (Corona del Mar, CA), Caroline Zajac (Westport, CT)

USC might just be one of those programs where you’ll realize how special their inner core truly is. The dynamic duo and 1-2 punch of Olivia Aceves and Chloe Sorensen who rowed for Harvard for a short-stint, both hailing from Newport Aquatic Center up the coast in Newport Beach, skill and intrinsic motivation are the blueprint of these two young ladies. Now, if you thought that was really something, make sure to keep an eye out for Seniors Julia Karten and Bella Korellis, both major players for the Trojans during their career in LA, and will provide the team with more than enough strength to really add volume amongst the program.

Coxswains, Grace Galipeau, ranked No. 5 Freshman Phenom Coxswain in NCAA Division 1, and Connecticut’s, Mia Kirkorsky, who inked her way into being one of the ten coxswains selected onto our list of “Breakout Coxswains” headed into 2026, the Trojans have enough power at the 9th seat, then most Big Ten programs in whole. With that being said, you definitely cannot forget another Connecticut Native, Annie Clark, who also will give SC more than enough control in the Driver’s Seat this Spring.

Chaudoin spoke with FSN earlier this Fall to highlight athletes who made monumental strides this Summer and were locked in the “dungeon” just pursuing that 1% better everyday mentality, and without even thinking about it, the Chicago Native, Abbie Diemer, was brought up in the conversation. Her high school rowing coach, Mike Wallin, who’s coached the United States Junior National Team, made sure to give us the 411 on Diemer when she was a young buck in high school, who ended up winning the National Championship in 2022 — It’s safe to say, she’s kept up the fight alright.

With that being said and a 23-1 Record against the Bruins in their Annual City Dual, the Trojans are headed in the right direction.

21. Clemson

2025 FSN Athlete Watchlist Athletes: Gabby Babin, Izzy Greving, Elizabeth Mueller
2026 FSN Top-10 Freshman Phenom Coxswain: Addi DerGarabedian
Biggest Losses: Gabby Babin, Kristen Dutkin (Coxswain)
Biggest Returners: Izzy Greving, Rose Imbesi, Elizabeth Mueller, Kat Odeen, Ava Quallen (Coxswain), Jane Upmeyer
Top Incoming Freshmen: Addi DerGarabedian [Coxswain] (Seattle, WA)
Portal: Annalie Duncomb (Ohio State)

Now this one right here is special and with what’s happened in South Carolina since Head Coach, Adrienne Martelli and her staff took over in the Summer of 2024, is just music to the ears of the Tiger fanbase. Alumni have been raving at the growth of the program since the departure of Stephen King, and it’s honestly just the beginning.

Clemson secured the No. 1 Ranked Coxswain in the Freshman Class, Addi DerGarabedian, who was originally committed to Tennessee, but decommitted and eventually signed to Martelli’s squad last Fall, where she told FSN that the impact of her on the team just in the first few months on campus has been so evident that just having her in the 9th Seat has been so reassuring. She’s quick to learn and coachable as can be, which in all honesty, what more can you ask as a Head Coach?

The Tigers have some solid returners back and ready to fight hard this season: Izzy Greving, Rose Imbesi, Elizabeth Mueller, Kat Odeen, Ava Quallen (Coxswain), and Jane Upmeyer, so we’ll be expecting a lot out of the South Carolina program in 2026.

20. North Carolina

2025 FSN Athlete Watchlist Athletes: Kate MacBryde, Lindsey Troftgruben
2026 FSN Top-10 Breakout Coxswain: Alix de Saint-Aignan
2026 FSN Top-10 Under The Radar Rower: Kate MacBryde
Biggest Losses: Cara Cunningham
Biggest Returners: Alix de Saint-Aignan (Coxswain), Chloe Gaither, Kate MacBryde, Lindsey Troftgruben
Top Incoming Freshmen: Alice Clark (Raleigh, NC)

When you think of a strong rowing brand and team to look into, you might want to pan your way over to UNC, with Alumnae, Erin Neppel, who leads the Tar Heels. The Coaching Staff at UNC has realized the power of Social Media and have already began the ropes of pursuing TikTok and IG to highlight the team culture and morals of the program — all of which couldn’t be more relatable and captivating to the public eye. Erin gets it and so does her Staff, with Texas Longhorn Legend, Payten Kooyers, an established rower out of Spring, TX, a suburb in the inner-Houston area near the Woodlands. Her sister, Taryn, competed with her under Dave O’Neill, and graduated last Spring.

Kate MacBryde and Lindsay Troftgruben have quickly become the LeBron James and Dwayne Wade of the program providing volume and athleticism helping the team boost the standard. Coxswain, Alix de-Saint Aignon, has received her fair share of FSN Honors, along with MacBryde and Troftgruben and it’s been great to see the impact these three are making in North Carolina. Alix had been invited to the Under-23 Selection Camp for Team USA this past Summer, but unfortunately didn’t make the cut against the No. 1 Ranked Coxswain in Women’s Rowing and National Champion, Honor Warburg out of Stanford. She’s high level, and Erin knows that, and will definitely be a difference maker this Spring when the Tar Heels gear up for their Annual Matchup for the Lake Wheeler Invitational where they’ll see their Conference & State Rivals, the Duke Blue Devils for the first time in the regular season. Can the Tar Heels step it up a notch this season — We think it’s definitely more than a possibility!

19. Indiana

2025 FSN Athlete Watchlist Athletes: Lilly Murphy, Maddison Shanks
2026 FSN Pre-Season Top-75: Lilly Murphy
Biggest Losses: Lilly Gintert, Phoebe Inall
Biggest Returners: Nico Daly, Lilly Murphy, Caroline Schrieber, Maddison Shanks
Top Incoming Freshmen: Paris Miller (Fishers, IN)

We know Bloomington is shining bright in recent weeks with the Football Team going undefeated and unleashing the first-ever Heisman Winner in program history, but what exactly is taking place with Steve Peterson’s squad?

He tells FSN that the team is off to a great start and that Lilly Murphy has been one of the most dominant rowers for them this season — not to discredit the work of Nico Daly from Australia, Maddison Shanks, and Caroline Schrieber from Philly, who’s the sister to Tommy Schrieber at Syracuse, respectfully. Another sibling, Paris Miller out of Fishers, Indiana, with her brother, Ryan Miller, the No. 10 Ranked Rower in the Freshman Class at Drexel, is one to watch out for.

Indiana has been a close competitor in the middle of the pack within the Big Ten and have been flip flopping all around the leaderboard for several years. This might be the season where the Hoosiers start to climb. It’s not been smooth sailings for IU, but with the right head on their shoulders and a solid foundation, they have a lot of potential to blossom.

18. Duke

2025 FSN Athlete Watchlist Athletes: Vivian Teeley, Chloe Zollman
2026 FSN Pre-Season Top-75: Lena Mills, Chloe Zollman
2026 FSN Top-10 Breakout Coxswain: Mia Khamish
2026 FSN Top-10 Under The Radar Rower: Grace Matos
2026 FSN Top-10 Freshman Phenom: Zara Taylor
2026 FSN Top-10 Freshman Phenom Coxswain: Ava Kellman
Biggest Losses: Lauren Brandmeyer, Samantha Schalk, Liz May
Biggest Returners: Lucy Herrick (Coxswain), Mia Khamish (Coxswain), Grace Matos, Lena Mills, Vivian Teeley, Erin Temple, Chloe Zollman
Top Incoming Freshmen: Ava Kellman [Coxswain] (Newport Beach, CA), Zara Taylor (Radnor, PA)
Portal: Molly Hess (Gonzaga)

The heir of the legendary, Mike Spracklen, took the reins of the Blue Devils last season and the rest was history. Adrian Spracklen, the Former Head Coach for Mercyhurst in Erie, PA, made his way over to Durham and got his team down pat. With numerous athletes ranked in the Top-75 of the sport by FSN, respectfully, Spracklen and his coaching staff, have been able to round up a dynamic selection of athletes from all across the globe. By locking in Zara Taylor out of Radnor, PA, a Junior National Team member with Team USA, the No. 6 Ranked Freshman in her class, has already seen the light of the Varsity Eight in just her first few months on the team. Ava Kellman, the No. 10 Ranked Freshman Coxswain out of Newport Beach, CA, just keeps catching the eye of her Head Coach, with Spracklen telling FSN, that she’s been a great addition to the team.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting — Molly Hess who transferred into Duke from Gonzaga, is already becoming a player for the Blue Devils. Spracklen has been loving her skills and exposure to the team playing a significant role into a positive team culture. The environment amongst the program is high-level, and although they have had some hairy years, the improvement and eye for securing strong prospects has been wonderful to see.

Chloe Zollman, out of Newport Beach, CA keep the bar high and athletes like Grace Matos, Lena Mills, Vivian Teeley, and Coxswain, Mia Khamish, the program is on the right track. With the losses of Sammie Schalk (Grad Transfer from Texas), Lauren Brandmeyer, and Liz May, the projection of how well the team would do this year was up in the air, but we can say with confidence that our approach couldn’t have been farther from the truth. We see Duke competing well in their conference and putting up a well-suited fight come the Spring — Time will tell.

17. Pennsylvania

2025 FSN Athlete Watchlist Athletes: Makeda Harrison, Coco Lucarelli
2026 FSN Pre-Season Top-75: Makeda Harrison
2026 FSN Top-10 Freshman Phenom: Eden Alfi
Biggest Losses: Marren Burgess, Brooke Caragher, Cami Edwards (Coxswain), Hannah Lemanowicz
Biggest Returners: Charlotte Dosier, Makeda Harrison, Evan Humphrey, Coco Lucarelli, Cassidy McKee
Top Incoming Freshmen: Eden Alfi (Miami, FL)

When Wes Ng, departures from Penn and headed on over to Charlottesville to lead the Virginia Cavaliers after longtime Head Coach, Kevin Sauer, announced his retirement, the rowing world was a bit concerned on the direction of the team and what the future would look like for the Quakers. Fans began to wonder who would lead the team next, and with being one of the only teams so close to the start of school with no official Head Coach, athletes, parents, and the Penn Rowing Family, started to scratch their heads in doubt. That was until the hiring of Bill Manning to the post. The Former Coach at Penn AC on the Schuylkill and High Performance Coach for the US National Team, took over the reins.

After a significant drought in stars to graduation, folks like Marren Burgess, Brooke Caragher, Hannah Lemanowicz, and Coxswain, Cami Edwards, the Quakers were fairly depleted in Senior Leadership. Makeda Harrison, honored by FSN in 2025 to our Annual Watchlist with her teammate, Coco Lucarelli, would now begin the shift for the program. One thing to note, Penn has talent and we know that, matter of fact, they always have, and with signing Eden Alfi from the Sunshine State, in Miami, Florida, Alfi rowed for Team USA on the Junior National Team, and will be a massive star for the squad. Ranked No. 8 in her Class respectfully, we know she will bring ferocity in and out of the Boathouse, and with California Native, Charlotte Dosier, out of Newport Beach, CA, Manning’s platoon will be in great company come the Spring.

16. Oregon State

2025 FSN Athlete Watchlist Athletes: Rhianna Loughnan, Linda Weitmann
2026 FSN Pre-Season Top-75: Giulia Clerici, Rhianna Loughnan
2026 FSN Top-10 Breakout Coxswain: Taylor Denger
Biggest Losses: N/A
Biggest Returners: Giulia Clerici, Taylor Denger (Coxswain), Rhianna Loughnan, Linda Weitmann
Top Incoming Freshmen: N/A

OSU Head Coach, Michael Eichler, has some new shoes to fill in Corvallis. He will now begin as the Director of Rowing for Oregon State, overseeing both the Men’s and Women’s programs. The Beavs won their Conference Championships at the West Coast Classic, Lake Natoma, in Sacramento, CA where they lined up against WCC-foes, Gonzaga and Washington State for the West Coast Conference Championship.

Known as the Best College Town in America, the Beavers are one of only a few Division 1 Rowing Programs in Oregon. Retaining stars like Giulia Clerici, Coxswain, Taylor Denger from Ventura, California, Rhianna Loughnan, and Linda Weitmann, the team has several student-athletes who will certainly help shape the direction of the program this season. Can Eichler manage both of these teams in solid fashion in 2026, or will the demands become too intense in Year 1 — we all want to know.

15. UCF

2025 FSN Athlete Watchlist Athletes: Lucy Buckingham, Amalie Thorsen
2026 FSN Top-10 Under The Radar Rower: Sophia Keller
Biggest Losses: Amalie Thorsen
Biggest Returners: Lucy Buckingham, Sophia Keller, Hannah Lovejoy, Ines Martin, Amalie Thorsen
Top Incoming Freshmen: N/A
Portal: Julia Schultz (Mercyhurst)

Your 2025 Big 12 Conference Champions are off the chain and there is no other reason but the true testament of Cal Golden Bear, Mara Allen. The Former Longhorn Rowing Coach at the University of Texas, Mara was not only coached by the iconic, Dave O’Neill at Cal, but coached alongside him on the Forty Acres, taking the team to three NCAA National Championships in four years. Mara knows what it takes to win and by all means can handle the pressure — Now, with her at the helm, the Knights will and have been in good company.

Allen appointed Marten Martensson, as the official Associate Head Coach of the program this Fall, and the sky is the limit. UCF’s got a stronghold on several standouts that have been true impact players all around, and it’s safe to say that starts like Lucy Buckingham, Sophia Keller, Hannah Lovejoy, Ines Martin, Amalie Thorsen, and Transfer, Julia Schultz from Mercyhurst, will provide safety up and down the roster. We know that UCF is the No. 1 Team in the Sunshine State, and Miami is runner-up, but we’ve seen some astonishing results play out in 2025, so we not see even more in 2026 — Let’s see the Knights run up the score and not only dominate their conference, but provide that assurance that they are here to stay.

On the recruiting side of things, Olivia Lill, ranked the No. 10 Prospect in the Class of 2026, has signed to Mara Allen and the UCF Coaching Staff where she’ll begin the move to Orlando and be the next star rower for the Knights. A highly sought after recruit out of the Big Apple, Lill will travel down south to the Sunshine State to be surrounded by a solid core of competitors and athletes who feign over the thrill of a challenge.

14. Michigan

2025 FSN Athlete Watchlist Athletes: Grace Hammis, Abby Hathaway, Gracie Landefeld
2026 FSN Pre-Season Top-75: Autumn Crowe, Gretel Ham, Sarah Houben, Deanna Macolino, Amy Newton, Jana Peachey
2026 FSN Top-10 Freshman Phenom: Novella Rusman
2026 FSN Top-10 Freshman Phenom Coxswain: Zulema Zunzunegui
Biggest Losses: Abby Dent, Katie Easton, Gabbie Graves, Abby Hathaway, Gracie Landefeld
Biggest Returners: Autumn Crowe, Gretel Ham, Sarah Houben, Deanna Macolino, Amy Newton, Jana Peachey
Top Incoming Freshmen: Novella Rusman (Mill Bay, Canada), Sydney Swick (Port Dalhousie, Canada), Zulema Zunzunegui [Coxswain] (Newport Beach, CA)

Michigan’s on the prowl like true Wolverines and definitely not messing around. Head Coach, Mark Rothstein, has been the only coach in program history to lead UM, and he’s working hard to keep the morale at an all-time high, which is why he brought on social media superstar, Gabbie Graves, who rowed under Rothstein during her collegiate career, taking home distinguished honors from FSN, and now she works on developing the student-athlete holistically. Securing the No. 10 Recruit in her class, Novella Rusman out of Mill Bay, Canada, and the No. 8 Ranked Coxswain in the Freshman Class, Zulema Zunzunegui, in the 9th Seat out of Newport Beach, California coxing the Southern California Powerhouse, Newport Aquatic Center under Head Coach, Weston Cole. Michigan’s got a gold mine between the two athletes, and the Wolverine Fanbase will soon begin to see the Big Ten’s version of Robinson Cano and Derek Jeter all over again in the saddle and Stroke Seat.

With major departures including Canada’s Abby Dent, Australia’s Katie Easton, America’s Gabbie Graves, Abby Hathaway, and Gracie Landefeld, Rothstein’s got to develop the middle of the pack in order to really carry out the “strength in numbers” ideology because the axiological benefit of these stellar student-athletes were not only Rockstar’s, but true diamonds in the rough. With the likes of Autumn Crowe, Gretel Ham, Sarah Houben, Deanna Macolino, Amy Newton, and Jana Peachey, we know that Michigan has power and when the team finds their groove, we’ll see them begin to stand out even more.

We realize that while losing arguably one of their best rowers and program record breakers, Gabbie Graves, who traded in her oar for the Coaching Launch, is it safe to say that Michigan can still be a contender for a Top-15 program — it’s simple, yes!

13. Syracuse

2025 FSN Athlete Watchlist Athletes: Dana Shearer (Coxswain), Rosie Turnbull
2026 FSN Pre-Season Top-75: Olivia Bachert, Ellie-Kate Hutchinson
2026 FSN Top-10 Coxswain: Dana Shearer
Biggest Losses: Aphrodite Gioulekas
Biggest Returners: Olivia Bachert, Ellie-Kate Hutchinson, Dana Shearer (Coxswain), Rosie Turnbull
Top Incoming Freshmen: N/A

We can all sit down and attest to how Conference Realignment really shook the college landscape up and perhaps the Women’s Rowing scene, but the ACC is still holding strong, and so is ‘Cuse.

Coached by Luke McGee, whose nieces have rowed all across the country at the University of Texas, University of Virginia, University of San Diego, and UCLA, the family ties run deep. McGee, who once rowed at Brown when he transferred from Yale, has made an impact as a rowing coach on both the Men’s & Women’s Rowing front, but his 1:1 approach with his athletes is something worth calling attention to. FSN CEO/Founder, Hudson Forster, spoke to Syracuse Head Coach, Luke McGee, over the For Stars Podcast several years back, and while the FSN Team was reviewing tape of the Orange in the erg room, you could find McGee really focusing on the athlete’s technique on the RP3 and Concept 2 rowing machine. He identifies the flaws and fixes the stroke off land which in upstate New York, might be the best route to go when your water is nearly frozen and it’s time to make way for the tanks! Even with the departure of Aphrodite Gioulekas, who was on last year’s FSN Pre-Season High Honors, we can expect the spark to still be in full action.

Senior Coxswain, Dana Shearer, a New York Native and Transfer from USC, solidified herself as an FSN Favorite marking her way as the No. 8 Ranked Coxswain in Division 1 Women’s Rowing, has really stepped up the team in various ways. Her first season in Syracuse, the Orange won the ACC Rowing Championships as a team, respectfully, and took care of business representing the Big Apple.

With Olivia Bachert and Ellie-Kate Hutchinson all who were featured on the FSN Top-75 during the Pre-Season’s list of Honors, Syracuse will have some established athletes in the Varsity. Both who have had their fair share of international exposure to World Championships, and made impacts on their respective National Team(s), McGee will have a lot of fun this Spring. It’s important to not forget Rosie Turnbull, who was featured on the FSN Annual Watchlist as an athlete to watch showcasing a spark in skill prior to the Spring of 2025 Season, and is back again for more. ‘Cuse will be locked in and we’re willing to bet that they will bump up the level of intensity as the Winter starts to pick up.

12. Dartmouth

2025 FSN Athlete Watchlist Athletes: Caroline Krantz, Annika Nelson
2026 FSN Pre-Season Top-75: Caroline Krantz, Áine Ley, Annika Nelson, Caroline Phipps
2026 FSN Top-10 Freshman Phenom Coxswain: Olivia Cabrera
Biggest Losses: Emma Hochberg, Grace McInerney (Coxswain)
Biggest Returners: Caroline Krantz, Áine Ley, Annika Nelson, Caroline Phipps, Charlotte Pulkkinen, Alexa Schlembach
Top Incoming Freshmen: Olivia Cabrera [Coxswain] (Rye, NY)
Portal: Maude Smith-Montross (California)

Hot take, but Big Green Head Coach, John Graves, saved Dartmouth Rowing and we are not afraid to call attention to it if it wasn’t already obvious.

In his first year at the helm, Graves locked in two of the most dynamic prospects out of Connecticut Boat Club, National Champions, Caroline Krantz and Annika Nelson. Áine Ley, who rowed for Team USA in the Women’s Eight two years in a row had been a special asset to the squad and with the bulk of the three, Caroline Phipps, Charlotte Pulkkinen, and Alexa Schlembach as several of the team’s star components, John’s got arguably the Dartmouth Avengers just waiting to hit their peak this Spring.

On top of all of that, Olivia Cabera, out of Rye, New York, who won the National Championship this past Summer in Sarasota, Florida in the Youth Men’s Eight with RowAmerica Rye, signed to the Woods, and was ranked the No. 4 Freshman Phenom Coxswain in her class. Graves made it known to tell FSN of her early impact, and the season hasn’t even started.

11. Washington

2025 FSN Athlete Watchlist Athletes: Allison Jakeway
2026 FSN Pre-Season Top-75: Zola Kemp, Aisha Rocek, Jessica Weir
Biggest Losses: Olivia Hay, Allison Jakeway, Megan Lee
Biggest Returners: Zola Kemp, Aisha Rocek, Jessica Weir
Top Incoming Freshmen: N/A

The Montlake Cut is home to a historic program — everyone and their mother knows that. The important factor is that the standard has never ceased to shift. Winning the Big Ten Conference Rowing Championship in 2025 was a statement, but this is the year to really solidify themselves in the record books. New Zealand’s Zola Kemp, Aisha Rocek, and Jessica Weir will provide significant security for Dawg Fans headed into 2026.

With Olivia Hay, Allison Jakeway, and Megan Lee, the Former Duke Blue Devil, headed off post-grad, the Huskies have some big shoes to fill, and it’s evident. Competition this season is at an all-time high, so if they can showcase their speed early on in the season, especially at the San Diego Crew Classic, we’ll know if they mean business.

10. Rutgers

2025 FSN Athlete Watchlist Athletes: Elli Arbogast
2026 FSN Pre-Season Top-75: Mary Ciardiello, Beatrice Colclough, Louise Dinard, Elena Moran, Lily Wood
2026 FSN Top-10 Coxswain: Meghan Mangan
Biggest Losses: Lauren Anderson, Elli Arbogast, Victoria Grieder (Coxswain), Ruby Hatfield, Hannah Heideveld, Kate Pitzel
Biggest Returners: Mary Ciardiello, Beatrice Colclough, Louise Dinard, Meghan Mangan (Coxswain), Elena Moran, Maxine Prawl (Coxswain), Lily Wood
Top Incoming Freshmen: N/A

The Scarlet Knights broke history this past Summer across the pond racing at Henley Royal Regatta taking home nine iconic red boxes after their win in the Island Challenge Cup representing Rutgers in true New Jersey Fashion! The crew composed of substantial student-athletes including recent graduates, Lauren Anderson, Elli Arbogast, Ruby Hatfield, Hannah Heideveld, Kate Pitzel, and albeit, Victoria Grieder (Coxswain), who made the decision to cox for Team Canada as opposed to rowing with the team in Henley-on-Thames, the crew will return Mary Ciardiello, Beatrice Colclough, Louise Dinard, Meghan Mangan (Coxswain), Elena Moran, Maxine Prawl (Coxswain), and Lily Wood, many if not all of whom were on the UK Travel Roster and filled the seats of the two Big Ten boats that competed.

Rutgers Head Coach, Justin Price, is special and the team knows it. The 2025 season was ground-breaking, and the Rutgers Rowing Fanbase was beyond thrilled, even well-known Hip-Hop/Rapper, Gucci Mane, who gave a shout out to the team back in 2024.

This season will be pivotal for the Scarlet Knights and we say that because if Rutgers can keep up the momentum, they just might be THAT Team, if they haven’t already proven it.

9. Virginia

2025 FSN Athlete Watchlist Athletes: Sofia Coppola, Paige Loh, Skylar Morrison
2026 FSN Pre-Season Top-75: Emma Alimbau Borras, Flynn Greene, Paula Lutz
2026 FSN Top-10 Breakout Coxswain: Brie Joe
Biggest Losses: Jenna Hajji, Sheila Joyce, Paige Loh
Biggest Returners: Sami Goldman (Coxswain), Flynn Greene, Kennedy Housley, Brie Joe (Coxswain), Paula Lutz, Skylar Morrison, Catherine Williams
Top Incoming Freshmen: Ava Gormley (Winter Park, FL), Gianna Vigliotti (Barrington, RI), Mira Meek (Arlington, VA), Clementine Riegelhaupt [Coxswain] (Rye, NY)
Portal: Emma Alimbau Borras (Ohio State), Sophia Cavalleri (Bucknell), Catherine Chénier-Gagnon (McGill University), Enya Gilroy (Bucknell), Ella Weeks (University of Nottingham)

Trust Wes — that’s all. Charlottesville secured a phenom and we aren’t regarding an athlete. Virginia Head Coach, Wes Ng, took his magic to the ACC from his previous post at the University of Pennsylvania in the Ivy League. Active in the Transfer Portal, securing Emma Alimbau Borras out of Spain from Ohio State, along with two athletes from Bucknell and a few from schools out of the US, and alive more than ever with the addition of the brand new locker room and training facility located in the $75M, Harrison Family Olympic Sports Complex, UVA has all that you may need in order to be successful, including a strength and conditioning fleet of equipment, meeting rooms, athlete lounges, as well as sports medicine and nutrition rooms for athlete recovery.

Stacked beyond measure in the UVA Coxswain Core, suiting the No. 2 Ranked Breakout Coxswain headed into 2026, Chicago’s very own, Brie Joe, and RowAmerica Rye National Champion Coxswain, Clementine Riegelhaupt, along with Connecticut’s Sami Goldman, what more could you ask for in the saddle? While losing Jenna Hajji, Sheila Joyce, and Paige Loh to graduation in 2025, Flynn Greene, Kennedy Housley, Paula Lutz, Skylar Morrison, and Catherine Williams, will take care of business in ‘26.

8. California

2025 FSN Athlete Watchlist Athletes: Izzy Campbell, Olivia Roth, Lotta van Westreenen
2026 FSN Pre-Season Top-75: Lily Abbott, Giulia Bosio, Minou Bouman, Star Rose Miller, Lily Pember, Ella Wheeler
2026 FSN Top-10 Coxswain: Julia Fullington
2026 FSN Top-10 Under The Radar Rower: Lotta Van Westreenen
2026 FSN Top-10 Freshman Phenom: Chloe Frushtick
2026 FSN Top-10 Freshman Phenom Coxswain: Chloe Milz
Biggest Losses: Izzy Campbell, Julia Hunt-Davis, Piper Melnick (Coxswain)
Biggest Returners: Lily Abbott, Ella Berger, Giulia Bosio, Minou Bouman, Julia Fullington (Coxswain), Shannon Kearney, Star Rose Miller, Kira Obsitnik (Coxswain), Alex Pearson, Lily Pember, Olivia Roth, Vivi Spitz, Lotta Van Westreenen, Ella Wheeler
Top Incoming Freshmen: Alexandra Ausfahl (Rye, NY), Chloe Frushtick (Marin, CA), Chloe Milz [Coxswain] (Chicago, IL)

There’s no way to sugarcoat it folks: Cal has the backfield and the infield is ready than ever. Cal’s Coxswains are the real deal and we’re impressed. With the likes of the No. 6 Ranked Coxswain in Women’s Rowing, Julia Fullington out of Connecticut, and the No. 6 Ranked Freshman Phenom Coxswain, Chloe Milz, out of Chicago, along with Kira Obsitnik, along with a few other dynamic 9th seats hailing from the East Coast, we’re through the moon for the Golden Bears and our expectations are high.

As we turn towards the ranks of the rowers, Lily Abbott, Giulia Bosio, Minou Bouman, Star Rose Miller, Lily Pember, and Ella Wheeler, all of whom made their way onto FSN’s Top-75 Rowers in the Pre-Season over all of Division 1 Women’s Rowing, Cal Head Coach, Al Acosta, has the speed, especially with Olivia Roth and Lotta Van Westreenen, but again, it all comes down to cohesion, so if the Bears can start to mesh as one, we’ll see a spark that we haven’t seen in nearly a decade. For reference: The last time Cal won a National Championship was in 2018.

We should see some blossoms from California Natives, Ella Berger, Shannon Kearney, Alex Pearson, and Vivi Spitz, which will in fact be foundational.

The Golden Bears have to take on the Huskies again this Spring more than once, and if they reign, folks will begin to turn their heads in Cal’s direction. This year holds a lot of weight — we know they are up for the challenge.

7. Harvard

2025 FSN Athlete Watchlist Athletes: Anika Holtey
2026 FSN Pre-Season Top-75: Sophie Barr, Anika Holtey, Kathryn Serra
2026 FSN Top-10 Breakout Coxswain: Bridget Kondrat
2026 FSN Top-10 Under The Radar Rower: Meena Baher
2026 FSN Top-10 Freshman Phenom Coxswain: Isabelle Goldstein
Biggest Losses: N/A
Biggest Returners: Meena Baher, Sophie Barr, Millie Clark, Anika Holtey, Bridget Kondrat (Coxswain), Kathryn Serra, Vivi Sun
Top Incoming Freshmen: Isabelle Goldstein [Coxswain] (Moraga, CA), Sophie Haisman (Providence, RI)

The Crimson have sprouted and it’s time for the team to shine. It’s been twenty-two years since the last time the program won a National Championship. Fun fact: Only eight teams have won in Women’s Rowing History. Head Coach, Claire Ochal, who rowed for Boston University in her college years is not a stranger to the Charles River, and was a coach at Syracuse University prior to being named the program’s Head Coach in 2023.

With the No. 3 Ranked Freshman Phenom Coxswain, Isabelle Goldstein out of Moraga, California, and the support of Meena Baher, Sophie Barr, Millie Clark, Anika Holtey, Kathryn Serra, and Vivi Sun, along with Varsity Coxswain, Bridget Kondrat, Ochal’s squad is in good hands, of which three of these athletes landed their way onto the FSN Top-75 List during the Pre-Season.

We know Princeton and Yale will be competitive and so will Brown, and with Dartmouth’s increase in speed, Harvard has to throw all their eggs in the basket this upcoming Spring Season.

6. Brown

2025 FSN Athlete Watchlist Athletes: Holly Crews
2026 FSN Pre-Season Top-75: Mary Claire Warren, Holly Crews
2026 FSN Top-10 Freshman Phenom: Sydney Chait-Walter
Biggest Losses: Caroline Schmitz, Nadia Vondeling
Biggest Returners: Mary Claire Warren, Holly Crews, Eugenia Rodriguez-Vazquez
Top Incoming Freshmen: Sydney Chait-Walter (Los Alamitos, CA), Sabrina Seville [Coxswain] (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)

With longtime Providence coaches, John & Phoebe Murphy, announcing their retirement last year, and leadership in the hands of Alumnae, Tessa Gobbo, Brown Women’s Crew has still kept up the momentum and no barrier has gotten in the way. The security of Mary Claire Warren, Holly Crews, and Eugenia Rodriguez-Vazquez is unique and even though stars like Caroline Schmitz and Nadia Vondeling graduated in the Spring of 2025, Bruno still has the power.

Locking in the No. 9 Ranked Freshman Phenom, Sydney Chait-Walter out of Los Alamitos, California who rowed for Newport Aquatic Center in Newport Beach, CA, was a solid score for Gobbo. We know that World Champion, Eugenia Rodriguez-Vasquez, jumped into Brown’s ranks under the Murphy Family with nearly a sub-7 2km score right out of high school, which we know is elite for a Junior Rower, so Brown isn’t too unfamiliar with locking in standouts of that magnitude.

With in-conference regular season matchups loading for the Bears in several months time, and the Seekonk River ready to give the team a run for their money, we’ll be sure to keep an eye out for Bruno at FSN Headquarters.

5. Princeton

2025 FSN Athlete Watchlist Athletes: Sara Covin (Coxswain), Francie McKenzie (Coxswain)
2026 FSN Pre-Season Top-75: Joely Cherniss, Ellie Smith, Phaedra van der Molen
2026 FSN Top-10 Coxswain: Francie McKenzie
2026 FSN Top-10 Freshman Phenom: Lauren Dubois
Biggest Losses: Ella Barry, Sara Covin (Coxswain), Katherine George, Margot LeRoux
Biggest Returners: Joely Cherniss, Francie McKenzie (Coxswain), Ellie Smith, Phaedra van der Molen
Top Incoming Freshmen: Lauren Dubois (New York, NY)

Princeton is always a title contender, just like their three other teams in Shea Rowing Center. Head Coach, Lori Dauphiny is one of a kind and the Tigers are one close-knit program. With the World Champion and No. 2 Ranked Coxswain in Women’s Rowing, Francie McKenzie, headed to steer the Varsity to a historic Spring, losing Ella Barry, Katherine George, Margot LeRoux, and Coxswain, Sara Covin, Princeton has some imperative seats that need to be taken over, and with Joely Cherniss and Ellie Smith who just got back from the 2025 World Championships, the Tigers will be locked and loaded.

Dauphiny shares with FSN the strength of Phaedra van der Molen, who solidified herself into the FSN Pre-Season Top-75 along with Joely & Ellie, so we know there’s powerhouses within; meanwhile, Princeton secured the No. 2 Ranked Freshman, Lauren DuBois out of New York, New York, and made her way south to Princeton, New Jersey to fill the ranks with even more talent.

This Fall was special for the future of Princeton Rowing, and with Signing Day taking place last month, we wanted to highlight some of the Tiger Signees that put pen to paper, making it official: the No. 3, No. 6, and No. 7 Ranked Rower in the Class of 2026 are headed to Jersey next Fall. That said, with three of the Top-10 Ranked Recruits in the most recent recruiting class, Princeton has the most per capita, and that’s not uncommon. Rowers develop under Lori, and it’s been proven time after time again. 2026 has a lot of growth waiting to happen, and a spark can take flame any second. We’re stoked, and you should be too.

4. Yale

2025 FSN Athlete Watchlist Athletes: Christina Bourmpou, Maya Meschkuleit, Lindsey Williams
2026 FSN Pre-Season Top-75: Imogen Cabot, Maeve Heneghan, Nicole Martinez
2026 FSN Top-10 Coxswain: Hope Galusha
2026 FSN Top-10 Breakout Coxswain: Grace O’Connor
Biggest Losses: Violet Barletta, Maya Meschkuleit, Maddie Moore
Biggest Returners: Christina Bourmpou, Imogen Cabot, Harriet Drake-Lee, Hope Galusha (Coxswain), Maeve Heneghan, Nicole Martinez, Grace O’Connor (Coxswain), Alexa von der Schulenberg, Lindsey Williams
Top Incoming Freshmen: N/A

Winners of the Varsity Eight at the 2025 NCAA Rowing Championships, the Yale Bulldogs did the unthinkable. Let’s just say the fans didn’t see it happening, and the fact that it did, made it that more special. Honestly, it was the cherry on top of the season and we’re confident in that statement.

Head Coach, Will Porter, is underrated beyond measure and his ability to find the best in his athletes is one of a kind. He deeply cares and has been a foundation in Derby for over two decades. His rowing career at Rutgers and on Team USA was one to note, and so has his impact at Yale. His two coxswains, Hope Galusha, out of Manhattan Beach, California, was ranked the No. 4 Coxswain in Women’s Rowing back in August, with Grace O’Connor being the third-ranked 9th seat on the FSN Breakout Coxswain list for 2026 overall. Porter won’t have to spend an ounce of time in that coaching launch wondering if his Drivers are present or not — no question.

Retaining Christina Bourmpou, Imogen Cabot, Harriet Drake-Lee, Maeve Heneghan, Nicole Martinez, Alexa von der Schulenberg, and Lindsey Williams is worth mentioning. Elite athletes all of whom have for the vast majority lead their respective countries to the World Championships, have provided assurance and stability that’s needed most come race day. We can expect a ferocity out of the Bulldogs taking it down to the wire this Spring, and not only are we getting our popcorn ready, but making sure we keep you all in the loop to track this team’s progression throughout the year.

3. Tennessee

2025 FSN Athlete Watchlist Athletes: Tiara Dye, Abby Fowler, Channing Taner
2026 FSN Pre-Season Top-75: Nicole Campbell, Katie Dahl, Meg Flanagan, Alex Pidgeon, Maylie Valiquette, Charlotte van der Wiele
2026 FSN Top-10 Coxswain: Taryn Graves
2026 FSN Top-10 Breakout Coxswain: Patricia Menendez
2026 FSN Top-10 Under The Radar Rower: Hannah Richardson
2026 FSN Top-10 Freshman Phenom Coxswain: Lily Sica
Biggest Losses: Alice Fahey, Riley Ferdelman, Paige Reymann, Channing Taner
Biggest Returners: Giorgia Borriello, Nicole Campbell, Thea Coull, Tiara Dye, Meg Flanagan, Abby Fowler, Taryn Graves (Coxswain), Sydney Harris, Sheya Lavin, Patricia Menendez (Coxswain), Stella Mirkovic, Elizabeth Peberdy, Alex Pidgeon, Hannah Richardson, Hannah Smith, Maylie Valiquette
Top Incoming Freshmen: Katie Dahl (Long Beach, CA), Caroline Forbes (Springfield, VA), Stevie Mabey (Great Barrier Island, New Zealand), Lily Sica [Coxswain] (Saratoga Springs, NY), Liv Tattersfield (Whangārei, New Zealand), Charlotte van der Wiele (London, England, United Kingdom)
Portal: Zoe DeFeo (Alabama), Ellexi Fulton (Northeastern)

Here’s where it gets interesting and yes — We all know that Tennessee has been the team to watch during these past few years once the appointment of Kim Cupini was announced by Tennessee Athletics in the Fall of 2023, but the Lady Vols haven’t let off the gas one measure and we couldn’t be more thrilled for this season.

The team was active in the Transfer Portal to gear up for a performative Spring 2026, even better than their year last year, and by taking in Alabama’s Zoe DeFeo, and Northeastern’s Ellexi Fulton, who spent her time rowing for Team Canada as well, the Volunteers have more fire under their belt than ever before. Mind you, Cupini secured two Freshman Standouts, Katie Dahl out of Newport Beach, California, and Charlotte van der Wiele, home to London, England, in the United Kingdom. These two athletes were the only two in their class that appeared on the FSN Pre-Season Top-75, respectfully. Speaking about incoming Freshmen, Caroline Forbes, Stevie Mabey, Liv Tattersfield, are also players to keep an eye out for as well.

Heavy losses were in effect, with Alice Fahey, Riley Ferdelman, Paige Reymann, and Channing Taner off the team due to graduation, but Channing made sure to stick around Knoxville as a GA this season, so that must be the roses to the thorns of the departure of those four stellar athletes. Tiara Dye, Abby Fowler, as well as Channing, were all ones to watch last season and had made their way onto the FSN Annual Watchlist in our series of Early-Spring honors. Giorgia Borriello, Nicole Campbell, Thea Coull, Meg Flanagan, Sydney Harris, Sheya Lavin, Stella Mirkovic, Elizabeth Peberdy, Alex Pidgeon, Hannah Richardson, Hannah Smith, and Maylie Valiquette make up just a few of the dozens of high-impact players that fill the Tennessee Boathouse, and we cannot forget the UTK Coxswain Core: No. 3 Ranked Coxswain in NCAA Division 1 Women’s Rowing, Taryn Graves, out of Newport Beach, CA, the No. 1 Ranked Breakout Coxswain headed into 2026, Patricia Menendez, out of Gotha, Florida, and the No. 7 Ranked Freshman Phenom Coxswain, Lily Sica, out of Saratoga Springs, New York. With several other great 9th Seats who appear in the Tennessee Saddle, FSN Coxswain Coach, and established mentor, Colleen Gillis, secures the very best. The standard is elite, just like the prospects that they bring in to row them towards a National Championship, but Gillis isn’t just searching for successful 9th seats — she wants the ones who are coachable and already foundational. We know it’s fairly difficult to analyze a Coxswain merely off of a phone conversation or even correspondence through text and/or email, but Colleen has been able to work her magic time and time again to make sure her Driver’s are ready for the challenge and going to give it their very best day in and day out.

Cupini is decorated, the Co-Big 12 Coach of the Year and SEC Champion Runner-Up, appeared on FSN’s very own, For Stars Podcast, the month of her official acceptance to lead the Lady Vols at Tennessee from SMU, where she took the team to a Top-10 place finish at the NCAA Rowing Championships in 2023. Within one season coaching the program, the Tennessee Lady Vols were a Top 3 Program in the Nation, skyrocketing from No. 15 in the polls to No. 5 in the course of seven days. All three boats medaled and made it to the Grand Final, the first time in program history, as were many in her first year in Knoxville, but Cupini’s staff followed her on over from Dallas and the rest was history. Not only did it happen, but she accurately predicted it live on FSP.

Through breaking course records at Lake Carnegie in 2025, and earning various Crew of the Week honors from the FSN Team in 2025, dominating the waterways of Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, Florida, and kicking off the first-ever SEC Rowing Championships on their home waters, Tennessee isn’t nearly afraid to race against the best in order to be the best. The program is class, and we all know it, but if for some reason that you aren’t familiar with their level of elite and first-class standards of excellence, then now is the time.

2. Texas

2025 FSN Athlete Watchlist Athletes: Ilva Boone, Holly Davis, Imy Grey
2026 FSN Pre-Season Top-75: Allie Alton, Ilva Boone, Abby Dawson, Imy Grey, Maya Meschkuleit, Marg Van der Wal, Phoebe Wise
2026 FSN Top-10 Coxswain: Amy Werner
2026 FSN Top-10 Under The Radar Rower: Amelia Gleed
2026 FSN Top-10 Freshman Phenom: Addy Smith
2026 FSN Top-10 Freshman Phenom Coxswain: Maddie Wilson
Biggest Losses: Sue Holderness, Taryn Kooyers
Biggest Returners: Allie Alton, Ilva Boone, Holly Davis, Abby Dawson, Amelia Gleed, Imy Grey, Katherine Nordheim, Lucy Seale, Paris West (Coxswain), Amy Werner (Coxswain), Marg Van der Wal, Phoebe Wise
Top Incoming Freshmen: Erin Kirby (Nutley, NJ), Lizzy Reid (Darien, CT), Addy Smith (Ambler, PA), Maddie Wilson [Coxswain] (Manhattan Beach, CA)
Portal: Chloe Driver (UCLA), Maya Meschkuleit (Yale)

Hook ‘Em Horns, Ladies and Gentlemen. The Forty Acres has become a Rowing Campus without a doubt. The Longhorn fans have made the team shine and so has the Athletic Department giving proper shoutouts on the school’s “3rd & Longhorn Podcast” inviting Texas Rowing alumnae, coaches, and current star athletes into their show to bring more insight into the perennial powerhouse lead by Head Coach, Dave O’Neill.

The Longhorns secured Yale Phenom, Maya Meschkuleit who rowed for Team Canada, as well as Chloe Driver from UCLA, rowing a season in the Blue & Gold before making her way on over to Austin. The level of recruits that have signed to Texas Rowing and O’Neill in the past is quite impressive; but again, nowhere near unthinkable because with Head Coach, Dave O’Neill, nothing is impossible and we mean that. Texas has won three of the last five National Championships, and two of those were Back-To-Back wins.

Senior, Amy Werner, was ranked the No. 5 Coxswain in Division 1 Women’s Rowing in August by FSN, and brought in a Top-10 Coxswain in the Freshman Class, Maddie Wilson, out of Manhattan Beach, California. Over the past few years, the Longhorns have had icons like Rachel Rane, Carly Legenzowski, and Olivia Fogarty, just to name a few, steering the team to one of a kind results.

With Sue Holderness and Taryn Kooyers out of the picture due to graduation, and Allie Alton, Ilva Boone, Holly Davis, Abby Dawson, Amelia Gleed, Imy Grey, Katherine Nordheim, Lucy Seale, Marg Van der Wal, and Phoebe Wise, along with Amy Werner as mentioned above, and Paris West in the Coxswain Seat, the team is in nearly perfect hands. Now here’s the real kicker, the No. 3 Ranked Rower in the Freshman Class, Addy Smith, hailing from Ardmore, Pennsylvania, daughter to Don Smith, and brother to Luke who is ranked in the Top-50 of the best Men’s Rowers in College Rowing out of Stanford, is now a Longhorn and will be adding immense value to the team in years to come. Erin Kirby out of New Jersey and Lizzy Reid out of Connecticut will also provide the team with strength as well. O’Neill signed the No. 4 Ranked Prospect in the Class of 2026, Madeline Glover, out of Oklahoma City, who is going to be one of the Longhorns top performers without a shadow of a doubt — and you heard it here first.

No recent alumni demands more, and the standard is set in stone, the Dave O’Neill method works and you can’t say anything about it. The athletes fight tooth and nail and give it their very best. Composure on race day will add more value to a team and we know that. The Longhorns have the spotlight and it’s even brighter than years before. It’s time for the squad to start prepping for their race against the Card in four months time, this time around on Stanford’s home waters, because in order to really spice things up in 2026, they must be ready for an absolute dog fight, not just once, but around a handful of times this Spring.

1. Stanford

2025 FSN Athlete Watchlist Athletes: Carly Brown, Charlotte Jett, Sofia Simone
2026 FSN Pre-Season Top-75: Alice Baker, Carly Brown, Matilda Drewett, Célia Dupré, Nora Goodwillie, Madeleine Greenstock, Annika Jeffery, Sarah Marriott, Sofia Simone, Ellie Sutro
2026 FSN Top-10 Coxswain: Honor Warburg
2026 FSN Top-10 Under The Radar Rower: Charlotte Jett
2026 FSN Top-10 Freshman Phenom: Lexi Gormley, Lia Nathan, Claire Van Praagh
2026 FSN Top-10 Freshman Phenom Coxswain: Nava Ruthfield
Biggest Losses: Luise Bachmann, Lucy Burrell
Biggest Returners: Alice Baker, Carly Brown, Ella Casano (Coxswain), Matilda Drewett, Célia Dupré, Nora Goodwillie, Madeleine Greenstock, Tess Herrick (Coxswain), Annika Jeffery, Charlotte Jett, Sarah Marriott, Sofia Simone, Ellie Sutro, Honor Warburg (Coxswain)
Top Incoming Freshmen: Lexi Gormley (Margate City, NJ), Lia Nathan (Washington D.C.), Nava Ruthfield [Coxswain] (Seattle, WA), Emily Tierney (Panther Valley, NJ), Claire Van Praagh (New York, NY)

You can practice almost year-round in arguably one of the best on-the-water experiences in College Rowing, and that’s exactly what the Stanford Cardinal look forward to every single day.

Winning the NCAA National Championship this past Spring was noteworthy to say the least. After taking the Title in 2023 from Texas and then the Longhorns trading off of them in 2024, with the trophy headed back to Palo Alto in May, the Cardinal have had a blast in New Jersey.

We’re just going to cut right to the chase: Stanford secures some of the best, and most sought after recruits in the game, and the proof is in the pudding. Does the location, academics, and high level athletics all come into play in the decision process of high school athletes — well of course, and that’s why Stanford has it all, as do many of the Power 4 Conference Programs, so what exactly makes it that much more enticing? If Alice Baker, Carly Brown, Matilda Drewett, Célia Dupré, Nora Goodwillie, Madeleine Greenstock, Annika Jeffery, Sarah Marriott, Sofia Simone, and Ellie Sutro make up some of the best on the team’s leaderboard overall, then we know that Head Coach, Derek Byrnes, develops high-level even Olympic-caliber athletes while in college, and you can’t say that for every single D1 Women’s Rowing Head Coach, but maybe just a few. Losing Luise Bachmann and Lucy Burrell must sting, and if you thought that some of these Top-10 programs had some solid coxswains, because they do, Stanford is surely not one to overlook.

The No. 1 Ranked Coxswain in NCAA Division 1 Women’s Rowing, Honor Warburg, out of Seattle, Washington, and No. 2 Ranked Freshman Phenom Coxswain, also out of Seattle, Washington, Nava Ruthfield fill the seats of Stanford’s Driver’s Seats. Some others worth mentioning, like Ella Casano and Tess Herrick have also been gamechangers for the Card as well. Speaking about securing standouts, numerous athletes who have made their way over to Palo Alto, including No. 1 Ranked Freshman Phenom, Claire Van Praagh, No. 4 Ranked, Lia Nathan, and No. 7 Ranked, Lexi Gormley will all rep the Card in 2026, along with Emily Tierney who will be a star player.

The Stanford Cardinal had just about everything going for them in 2025. Coming off of their win at the first-ever appearance at the ACC Rowing Conference Championships, beating Texas at the Longhorn Invite, and winning the National Title with the most Team Points overall, Byrnes and his squad had a stellar season to say the least. He secures the No. 1 & No. 2 Ranked Rowers in the Class of 2026, Teagan Farley, out of New York, Massachusetts’, Stefania McMasters, who will both make their way over to Stanford in the Fall of 2026. The two Five-Star Athletes have had their fair share rowing on the United States Junior National Team as well.

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