Carlson and Czajkowski Named 2026 USRowing Athletes of the Year

USRowing is pleased to announce that Chris Carlson has been named the 2026 Male Athlete of the Year, while Azja Czajkowski has been named the 2026 Carie Graves Female Athlete of the Year. 

Selected by the athletes and coaches of the Gemini.com Senior National Team that competed at the 2026 World Rowing Championships, Carlson and Czajkowski will be recognized at the Golden Oars Gala on November 5 at the Harvard Club of New York City.  

Olympic bronze medalist Chris Carlson captured a world title this year, winning the men’s four while earning bronze in the mixed eight at the 2026 World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam. This summer he also raced in two World Rowing Cups; earning a silver medal in the eight and finishing eighth in the four at World Rowing Cup II and placing fourth in the four at World Rowing Cup III. 

Olympian and reigning world champion Carlson has been a mainstay on the U.S. national team, progressing from the U23 National Team where he earned silver and gold in the eight at separate World Rowing Under-23 Championships, to a five-time Senior team member whose highest accolades include earning bronze in the eight at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, and his recent world championship title in the four earlier this year. At the collegiate level, he helped the University of Washington secure silver in the varsity eight at the 2018 IRA National Championships and win gold in the varsity eight at the 2018 PAC-12 Championships. That same year, he was named the PAC-12 Conference Newcomer of the Year. 

“I’m truly honored to be named USRowing’s 2026 Male Athlete of the Year, especially knowing the vote came from my peers. Our results at the World Championships this year were a testament to the strength of the U.S. National Team as a whole, a team I’m incredibly proud to be a part of. From racing one another in inter-squad pieces to sharing meals off the water, I feel lucky to train alongside such a committed group of athletes, many of whom are just as deserving of this award.” 

“I’m grateful for all the coaches, physical therapists, and support staff who work just as hard as the athletes, as well as the organizations that continue to support me and the wider U.S. National team: the USRowing Foundation, NYAC, the University of Washington, NRF, Filippi, and Concept2.” 

“Personally, I’d like to thank my friends and family, as well as the host families who have opened their homes and made training around the country possible. Most of all, thank you to my fiancée, Emily, for her unconditional support as she pursues her own national team journey. I couldn’t do this without her.” 

Olympian and two-time world champion Azja Czajkowski had a standout season and was also named USRowing's co-Under-23 Female Athlete of the Year in 2022. She won back-to-back world championships in the four and earned bronze alongside Chris Carlson in the mixed eight at the World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam. Racing in two World Rowing Cups this summer, Czajkowski brought home four medals from four events: gold in the four and eight at World Rowing Cup II, and gold in the four and bronze in the eight at World Rowing Cup III. 

Seven-time national team member Czajkowski has progressed through the high performance ranks; starting at the U19 level in 2017, winning silver in the eight at the 2018 World Rowing Junior Championships, before earning her place on the U23 team in 2022 where she won silver in the eight for the U.S. Becoming a four-time Senior National Team member this year, her highest achievements include two world titles in the four in 2025 and 2026, and finishing fourth at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in the pair.  

At the collegiate level, she helped Stanford University secure the first varsity eight and team title at the 2023 NCAA Women's Rowing Championships. In 2021 and 2022, she helped Stanford finish second in the first varsity eight and the team standings at the NCAA Women's Rowing Championships. She won the varsity eight at the 2022 PAC-12 Women's Rowing Championships. She was named PAC-12 Rower of the Year in 2022. 

“Thank you to the coaches and athletes on the 2026 Senior National Team. I am honored and humbled to be part of a team like ours. Our national team training pool is gritty, kind, and funny, and it is a joy and a privilege to train and race alongside one another. Thank you to the USRowing coaches, staff, and supporters who make it possible for us to do what we love every day.” 
 
“I am especially grateful for the time spent in the 4- with Kate, Teal, Molly, and Camille, and in the 2- with Jess. The highs and lows we’ve shared have made me a better rower and a better person. Jesse and Josy, thank you for believing in us, investing in us, and dedicating so much time and energy to this program.” 
 
“I am endlessly grateful to my parents, John and Katrine, and my sister, Aurora, who are the best role models I could imagine. Thank you to my teammates and coaches at Stanford University for helping me grow as a rower and teammate, and to San Diego Rowing Club for nurturing and reinforcing my love of the sport.” 

For a historical list of USRowing Athlete of the Year Award winners, click here. The announcements for the Para athletes will follow tomorrow, and Beach Sprint Athletes of the Year will be announced by November 5.  

USRowing would like to thank Filippi Lido, the Official Boat Supplier for the Gemini.com U.S. Senior and Para Rowing National Teams. Under the agreement, Filippi is providing USRowing a fleet of boats for international competitions, including the World Rowing Cup regattas, World Rowing Championships, Olympic Games, and Paralympic Games, as well as a domestic training fleet for the USRowing Training Centers.