BOSTON — Northeastern women's rowing capped off another strong season Saturday evening, as Head Coach Joe Wilhelm revealed the program's 2025-26 year-end award winners.
The 2025-26 campaign saw the Huskies capture their 12th straight CAA championship and reach the National Championship regatta for the 12th consecutive year, finishing 18th overall while posting program-best times across all three boats. Five Huskies received All-CAA team recognition, and an 11 student-athletes earned CRCA Scholar-Athlete distinction.
Graduate student Erin Murphy received the 2026 NCAA Elite Scholar-Athlete Award, senior Heather Taylor picked up a CRCA Division I All-American Honorable Mention, and the Huskies' coaching staff was named CRCA Division I Region 2 Staff of the Year for a fourth consecutive year.
Outstanding Competitor: Evie Gaylord and Heather Taylor
First-year Evie Gaylord and returning standout Heather Taylor shared the Outstanding Competitor award. Gaylord, in her first season with the Huskies, rowed with the second varsity eight all year, helping the boat to a first-place CAA finish and a berth in the C Finals at the NCAA Regatta — tying the program's best-ever finish. Taylor competed in the varsity eight, set a program-best time at the NCAA Regatta, and earned both, for the second-straight year, CAA All-Conference honors and a CRCA Division I All-American Honorable Mention
Most Improved Athlete: Erin Murphy
Erin Murphy took home the Most Improved Athlete honor. In her debut season with women's rowing, Murphy helped Northeastern claim the 2026 CAA title as a member of the second varsity eight and went on to represent the Huskies at the NCAA Regatta. She was also recognized as a CRCA Scholar-Athlete and a two-time CAA Academic Honor Roll honoree.
Jeanne Rowlands Most Inspirational Award: Sophia Wolfenberg, Mia Bonfiglio and Grace Theobald
The Jeanne Rowlands Most Inspirational Award, voted on by teammates and given annually to one first-year and one returning student-athlete, went to three Huskies this year: first-year Sophia Wolfenberg and returners Mia Bonfiglio and Grace Theobald. Wolfenberg and Theobald both rowed in the varsity boat, helping secure a petite final win at Eastern Sprints and a championship run at CAAs, while Bonfiglio raced primarily with the varsity four, which posted a program-best time and matched the program's best-ever overall finish at NCAAs.
Rick Schroeder Helping Hand Award: Alice Brashers
Alice Brashers received the first-ever Rick Schroeder Helping Hand Award, recognizing the athlete who best reflected Rick's selfless dedication to her teammates, the boathouse, and the program. Brashers rowed with the third varsity eight this season, contributing to the Huskies' first-place CAA finish, and was a two-time CAA Academic Honor Roll selection.
Jack Grinold Boathouse Award: Yoav Siebzehner
Coach Yoav Siebzehner received the Jack Grinold Boathouse Award, presented each year to the individual or individuals who most embody Grinold's steadfast dedication to Northeastern Rowing.
