Dahl and Flynn Named 2026 USRowing Para Athletes of the Year

USRowing is pleased to announce that Skylar Dahl has been named the 2026 Para Female Athlete of the Year, and Alex Flynn has been named the 2026 Para Male Athlete of the Year. 

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

Paralympic silver medalist Skylar Dahl captured a world title this year, winning the PR3 mixed four with coxswain at the 2026 World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam. This summer she also raced in World Rowing Cup III, earning a gold medal in the PR3 mixed four with coxswain. 

Paralympian and reigning world champion Dahl joined the national team in 2023, earning a silver at the World Rowing Championships in the PR3 mixed four with coxswain. The following year, she went on to win silver at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games and took a hiatus from the 2025 competition season, only to return this year and earn a world championship title. At the collegiate level, she helped the University of Virginia win the second varsity eight at the 2023 ACC Championships and finished 10th in the second varsity eight at the 2023 NCAA Women's Rowing Championships. Dahl was named to the All-ACC Academic Team and ACC Honor Roll in 2023. 

“This is an incredible honor. To represent Team USA in para rowing and share this sport with some of the best athletes in the world is a great privilege. I'm deeply grateful to my teammates, both old and new, for selecting me for this recognition.” 

“My para teammates, coaches Tom Siddall and Ellen Minzner, Beth and Wendy, and the friendships I've built through rowing have reminded me what I love about this sport. They've reignited the joy, purpose, and passion that come with chasing big goals and representing athletes of all abilities on the world stage.” 

“Rowing has given me some of the greatest moments of my life, from competing at the Paralympic Games to sharing the daily grind of training with extraordinary people. Through every challenge and every finish line, I've been surrounded by people who have pushed me to grow both as an athlete and as a person.” 

“To Mom and Dad, thank you for everything, always, and for being my best (and loudest) cheerleaders. To USRowing and Josy for your support and dedication to the success of our team and making it possible to reach new heights in the sport. To UVA Women's Rowing, Coach Kevin Sauer, Coach Wes Ng, and the staff, thank you for your continued support. To Houlihan Lokey, thank you for investing in both my athletic and professional aspirations. And a special thank you to Twin Cities Youth Rowing Club and Rebecca Newman for opening the door to a second chance in sport and setting this exciting journey in motion.” 

Paralympian and world champion Alex Flynn had a season akin to his boatmate Skylar Dahl’s; he captured a world title this year, winning the PR3 mixed four with coxswain at the 2026 World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam, and raced in World Rowing Cup III, earning a gold medal in the PR3 mixed four with coxswain. 

Four-time national team member Flynn debuted for the national team in 2022 and made his first podium in 2023 by winning silver in the PR3 mixed four with coxswain at the World Championships. The following year he went on to win silver at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. After taking a hiatus from the 2025 competition season, he returned this year to earn a world championship title. 

At the collegiate level, he helped Tufts University’s second varsity eight place fourth at the IRA National Championship and earn a place on the 2026 NESCAC All-Academic Team. 

“I am honored to have been selected as the Male Para Athlete of the Year. Over the past four years, I have seen the level of performance within our team continue to rise, and that progress reflects the hard work and dedication of my teammates, coaches, PTs, doctors, and everyone else who has contributed to the program.” 

“One of the things that makes this sport so meaningful to me is that progress is rarely linear, and the people you surround yourself with make all the difference along the way. I am incredibly grateful to be part of this team where I am surrounded by people who push me to be my best every day. I know I can count on these people to have my back, hold me accountable, and help me continue to improve. The success we have had this year is the culmination of years of hard work and determination by so many people, and it would not have been possible without them.” 

“I want to give a special thank you to the coaches who have helped me grow both as an athlete and as a person, particularly Bob Arsenault, George Munger, Andy McLaughlin, Tom Siddall, and Ellen Minzner. Each of them has had an enormous impact on my development, and I am grateful for the time and effort they have invested in me. I also want to thank my amazing mother, Gina, who has helped make my rowing dreams a reality. Without her unwavering support, I would not have been able to accomplish what I have.” 

For a historical list of USRowing Athlete of the Year Award winners, click here. The announcement for 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.