Washington's Lyle Donovan Honored As "The Oarsman" By IRCA
July 02, 2026 | Men's Rowing
Washington senior men's rower Lyle Donovan has been honored with "The Oarsman," designating him as the nation's top Division I heavyweight men's rower, according to the Intercollegiate Rowing Coaches Association (IRCA).
Donovan, a walk-on athlete from Milton, Ga., learned to row after enrolling at the UW, and has worked his way up the ranks to earn The Oarsman. Serving as a team co-captain, Donovan was a stalwart in the Huskies' varsity eight, which won the program's 22nd IRA National Championship this past spring.
"Lyle Donovan is the definition of an oarsman who leads by example," said Washington head coach Michael Callahan. "He is a walk-on and former track runner, having arrived at Washington without ever touching an oar. He willed himself into IRCA Novice of the Year, captain of Washington Rowing, and a three-time IRA Champion.
"Lyle was elected captain by the very teammates who watched him earn every inch of it. He never asked anyone to do something he hadn't already done himself — first to the shellhouse, last to leave, steady when the racing got hard," Callahan continued. "He made every crew he sat in faster and every rower around him better. A walk-on who became a national and world champion through nothing but grit, humility, and relentless work, Lyle Donovan is the truest definition of an oarsman and there is no one more deserving."
In 2026, Donovan earned first-team All-America and first-team All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, as well as IRCA Scholar-Athlete, MPSF All-Academic and Big Ten All-Academic. He's currently in England, where his UW men's eight will make its debut in the quarterfinals of The Ladies' Plate Challenge Friday at Henley Royal Regatta.
An IRA national champion in the Huskies' second varsity eight as a sophomore and junior, Donovan also earned a gold medal in the United States men's four at 2025 World Rowing Under 23 Championships.
"The Oarsman," selected by the IRCA, made its debut in 2025, when Washington's Logan Ullrich was named the first Division I heavyweight winner. The IRCA also honors winners in the lightweight and Division 3 heavyweight categories.
Donovan, a walk-on athlete from Milton, Ga., learned to row after enrolling at the UW, and has worked his way up the ranks to earn The Oarsman. Serving as a team co-captain, Donovan was a stalwart in the Huskies' varsity eight, which won the program's 22nd IRA National Championship this past spring.
"Lyle Donovan is the definition of an oarsman who leads by example," said Washington head coach Michael Callahan. "He is a walk-on and former track runner, having arrived at Washington without ever touching an oar. He willed himself into IRCA Novice of the Year, captain of Washington Rowing, and a three-time IRA Champion.
"Lyle was elected captain by the very teammates who watched him earn every inch of it. He never asked anyone to do something he hadn't already done himself — first to the shellhouse, last to leave, steady when the racing got hard," Callahan continued. "He made every crew he sat in faster and every rower around him better. A walk-on who became a national and world champion through nothing but grit, humility, and relentless work, Lyle Donovan is the truest definition of an oarsman and there is no one more deserving."
In 2026, Donovan earned first-team All-America and first-team All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, as well as IRCA Scholar-Athlete, MPSF All-Academic and Big Ten All-Academic. He's currently in England, where his UW men's eight will make its debut in the quarterfinals of The Ladies' Plate Challenge Friday at Henley Royal Regatta.
An IRA national champion in the Huskies' second varsity eight as a sophomore and junior, Donovan also earned a gold medal in the United States men's four at 2025 World Rowing Under 23 Championships.
"The Oarsman," selected by the IRCA, made its debut in 2025, when Washington's Logan Ullrich was named the first Division I heavyweight winner. The IRCA also honors winners in the lightweight and Division 3 heavyweight categories.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Rowing
Monday, June 15
Wednesday, June 03
Wednesday, June 03
Wednesday, June 03
