Photo by: Stockton Photo
Men’s Rowing Captures Three Empacher-IRCA All-Americans, 12 Scholar-Athletes
June 25, 2026 | Men's Rowing
BOSTON – The Intercollegiate Rowing Coaches Association (IRCA) announced its end-of-year awards for 2026 beginning on June 24. The Boston University men's rowing program earned three Empacher-IRCA All-American selections while 12 Terriers garnered Empacher-IRCA Scholar-Athlete status.
Graduate student Alessandro Gardino was named an All-American first team pick. Senior Grant Gwadz earned his second-consecutive All-American honor with a second team selection while classmate Nicolo Bizzozero collected an honorable mention.
On the academic front, Bizzozero as well as Ben Brinckerhoff, Giacomo Cappelletto, Seamus Dallman, Ian Doud, Wynant Hubbard, Jan Koska, Mason Laundry, Hannah Noguchi, Caleb Schwartz, Luke Stroh and Ian Varga were chosen as scholar-athletes.
In order to be named an "All-American", rowers and coxswains must have met the following criteria:
This marks the first time since 2022 that BU has had at least three All-Americans. Gardino is the first Terrier to garner a first team accolade since Max Kreutzelman in 2024. Gwadz now has three All-American selections to his career. Bizzozero's honor is the first in his career.
BU has placed at least 10 student-athletes on the IRCA's list in the last six years. Doud, Noguchi and Varga were scholar-athletes for the third consecutive year. Hubbard, Schwartz and Stroh went back-to-back in garnering the honors while Bizzozero also picked up his second career scholar-athlete selection.
2026 EMPACHER-IRCA ALL-AMERICANS
Graduate student Alessandro Gardino was named an All-American first team pick. Senior Grant Gwadz earned his second-consecutive All-American honor with a second team selection while classmate Nicolo Bizzozero collected an honorable mention.
On the academic front, Bizzozero as well as Ben Brinckerhoff, Giacomo Cappelletto, Seamus Dallman, Ian Doud, Wynant Hubbard, Jan Koska, Mason Laundry, Hannah Noguchi, Caleb Schwartz, Luke Stroh and Ian Varga were chosen as scholar-athletes.
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.
- Strength of finish of the institution's varsity boat
- Nomination rank within institution
- Coach's comments, individual achievements, and erg score
- Athletes from all IRCA Member Schools are eligible.
- Athletes must be in their second year or more of eligibility.
- Athletes must have competed in their program's top 3 boats during the current season or raced at the 2022 IRA Championship.
- Athletes must have, at least, a 3.50 cumulative GPA through fall semester.
This marks the first time since 2022 that BU has had at least three All-Americans. Gardino is the first Terrier to garner a first team accolade since Max Kreutzelman in 2024. Gwadz now has three All-American selections to his career. Bizzozero's honor is the first in his career.
BU has placed at least 10 student-athletes on the IRCA's list in the last six years. Doud, Noguchi and Varga were scholar-athletes for the third consecutive year. Hubbard, Schwartz and Stroh went back-to-back in garnering the honors while Bizzozero also picked up his second career scholar-athlete selection.
2026 EMPACHER-IRCA ALL-AMERICANS
- Alessandro Gardino – First Team
- Grant Gwadz – Second Team
- Nicolo Bizzozero – Honorable Mention
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's Rowing
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/ Men's Rowing
/ Men's Rowing
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