What Happened
The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) announced the 2026 Preseason ACC Rowing Watch List on February 25, 2026. This list features one student-athlete from each participating program, highlighting their achievements and potential for the upcoming season. Notably, Ustiuzhanina from Syracuse and Lena Mills from Duke were recognized among the honorees.
Why It Matters
The inclusion of Ustiuzhanina, a first-year student at Syracuse who previously competed at the University of Kansas, underscores the depth of talent within the ACC. Ustiuzhanina has an impressive background, having won a gold medal at the European Rowing Championship and earning accolades such as Big 12 Newcomer of the Year. Mills, a two-time honoree, continues to demonstrate her prowess in rowing, contributing significantly to Duke’s performance in previous seasons.
What’s Next
The rowing season is set to commence shortly, with Ustiuzhanina and the Syracuse team participating in the Doc Hosea Invitational on March 28, 2026. The ACC rowing community anticipates a competitive season, especially following Stanford’s record-setting performance in the previous year, where they won the ACC Rowing Championship and advanced multiple teams to the NCAA Championship.
