William Smith College senior rower Linnea Darius has been named a finalist for the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association’s Division III Athlete of the Year award, recognizing one of the nation’s top student-athletes in collegiate rowing.
Darius becomes just the second William Smith rower to be selected as a finalist for the award, joining former Heron Elisa Faiola, who earned the distinction during her senior season in 2024.
The Athlete of the Year award, now in its fifth year, honors rowers who have made significant contributions to their teams through their performance, leadership, and impact throughout the academic year.
Darius recently earned first-team All-America honors from the CRCA after a standout senior campaign. Serving as stroke seat for William Smith’s varsity eight, she helped guide the Herons to a third-place finish at the NCAA Division III Rowing Championships. The bronze-medal performance was the program’s first NCAA championship medal since 2013.
Combined with the second varsity eight’s performance, William Smith matched the best national finish in program history by placing third overall in the team standings.
Darius also earned first-team All-Liberty League honors and was named to the Liberty League Crew of the Year after helping lead the Herons to their first conference championship since 2016. William Smith captured the title by a commanding 10-second margin.
In addition to winning a bronze medal at the New York State Championships with the varsity eight, Darius claimed a silver medal in the varsity four at the prestigious Head of the Charles Regatta during the fall season.
A four-year member of William Smith’s varsity eight, Darius has been a key contributor throughout her collegiate career. She also stroked the varsity eight during her sophomore season, when she earned second-team All-Liberty League recognition.
At this year’s Heron Awards Banquet, Darius received both the Winn-Seeley Award and the S. Ford Weiskittel Most Valuable Oarswoman Award.
Head Coach Paul Bugenhagen praised Darius for her leadership and influence on the program.
“Linnea is someone whose presence changes the standard,” Bugenhagen said. “In the last four years, she has been central to the transformation of our team by taking responsibility not just for herself but for the entire team. Everything she gets involved in gets better.”
Bugenhagen added that Darius’ impact extends well beyond athletics, calling her one of the most complete people he has had the privilege to coach.
The winner of the CRCA Division III Athlete of the Year award will be announced later this year.
