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 ACC rowing program, highlighting their achievements and potential for the upcoming season. Notably, Ustiuzhanina from Syracuse and Lena Mills from Duke were among the honorees.
Why It Matters
The ACC is unique in having a preseason rowing watch list, which serves to recognize standout athletes before the season begins. Ustiuzhanina, a newcomer to Syracuse after transferring from the University of Kansas, has previously earned accolades such as Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and All-American Honorable Mention. Mills, a two-time honoree, has been a key member of Duke’s Varsity Eight lineup and received All-ACC honors last season.
What’s Next
The rowing season is set to commence shortly, with Ustiuzhanina and her team participating in the Doc Hosea Invitational in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, on March 28. The season will also feature the Oak Ridge Cardinal Invitational, hosted by Louisville, on March 14-15. The ACC aims to build on its success from the previous year, where Stanford won the 2025 ACC Rowing Championship and four ACC teams advanced to the NCAA Championship.
