Big Ten Conference Announces 2026 Rowing Individual Awards

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference unveiled its 2026 rowing individual awards, as selected through a vote of the conference’s 11 head coaches. Washington senior Aisha Rocek repeated as the Big Ten Athlete of the Year, while teammate Jayna Palmer was chosen as the Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Husky head coach Yasmin Farooq was named Big Ten Coach of the Year.

Rocek, hailing from Como, Italy, is only the second rower in Big Ten history to earn athlete of the year laurels in consecutive years, joining Kate Johnson (Michigan, 2000-01). The two-time first team All-Big Ten performer helped lead the Huskies to a gold medal in the I Eights and team title at the 2026 Big Ten Rowing Championships presented by Allstate.

Palmer is the first rower from Washington’s program to be selected as the Big Ten Freshman of the Year. The Truckee, Calif., native was a member of the I Eights that took home first place at the conference championships. She also earned a spot on the Big Ten’s All-Freshman Team.

Farooq, who is in her 10th season at the helm, is the first Washington head coach to garner Big Ten Coach of the Year recognition. Farooq coached the Huskies to their second Big Ten Championship crown in as many years behind a record-setting 350 points. Under her guidance, Washington continues its streak of having competed in every championship regatta in the NCAA’s history of the event with its 29th straight appearance. The Huskies, who last won a national championship in 2019, have earned the No. 9 seed in the I Eights, No. 5 seed in the II Eights and No. 3 seed in the Fours.

The Big Ten also shared its all-freshman team, which is made up of eight rowers and one coxswain as selected by the conference’s head coaches.

The All-Big Ten Teams and Sportsmanship Award honorees were announced at the conclusion of the 2026 Big Ten Rowing Championships last Sunday.

2026 Big Ten Rowing Awards
Athlete of the Year: Aisha Rocek, Washington
Freshman of the Year: Jayna Palmer, Washington
Coach of the Year: Yasmin Farooq, Washington 

All-Freshman Team*
Kateřina Dohnalová, Ohio State
Montana Ma'aelopa, Ohio State
Juliann Northrop, Rutgers
Megan Pruitt, Rutgers
Hannah Roetger, Rutgers
Eva Hauge, UCLA
Liana Hoffman, UCLA
Auguste Sablinskaite, UCLA
Jayna Palmer, Washington
Issy Melville, Washington

*Additional honoree due to a tie in voting 

First Team All-Big Ten
Lilly Murphy, Indiana
Leah Nawrot, Iowa
Logan Roeder, Michigan
Maddie Kieft, Michigan State
Lexi Schimnowski, Minnesota
Amelia Boes, Ohio State
Paige Guggenbiller, Ohio State
Elena Moran, Rutgers
Chiara Saccomando, Rutgers
Lily Wood, Rutgers
Kaija Frassrand, UCLA
Liana Hoffman, UCLA
Ria Vasilyeva, USC
Violet Holbrow Brooksbank, Washington
Izzy Michaelson, Washington
Aisha Rocek, Washington 

Second Team All-Big Ten
Nico Daly, Indiana
Laura McCabe, Indiana
Madeleine Lauriault, Michigan
Janette Peachey, Michigan
Ugne Rudaityte, Michigan State
Manon Field, Minnesota
Kateřina Dohnalová, Ohio State
Lily Orosz, Ohio State
Beatrice Colclough, Rutgers
Fallon DeWitt, Rutgers
Siena McDermott, UCLA
Gerli Endrekson, USC
Mira Calder, Washington
Zola Kemp, Washington
Jess Weir, Washington
Sophia Gruenling, Wisconsin 

Sportsmanship Award Honorees
Laura McCabe, Indiana
Carissa Cochico, Iowa
Madison Matos, Michigan
Alice Bradley, Michigan State
Emma Herstad, Minnesota
Ava Semeniuk, Ohio State
Shea Callahan, Rutgers
Danielle DeFrancisci, UCLA
Bella Korellis, USC
Margaret Young, Washington
Aliza Korman, Wisconsin