By: Jeff Evans, Assistant AD for Athletic Communications
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Western Washington University women's rowing coaching staff – led by head coach
Courtney Moeller – has been selected as the CRCA Coaching Staff of the Year for NCAA Division II.
Moeller earned the West Region and National Coach of the Year honor guiding the Vikings to the 2026 NCAA Division II National Championship, the 10th in program history. Moeller achieved the rare trifecta winning national titles as a student-athlete, assistant coach and head coach.
"To be recognized as Coach of the Year by a community of coaches I deeply respect is an incredible honor," said Moeller. "But rowing is a team sport, and none of what we accomplished this year would be possible without the commitment and trust of our student-athletes and staff. I'm incredibly proud to be a Viking and am grateful for the opportunity to continue building on the strong foundation of WWU Rowing."
Moeller was a student-athlete for the Vikings winning a national title as a member of the Varsity 4+ in 2005, the first of now 10 program national championships. She re-joined the program for the 2016 season as an assistant coach and took over the helm of the program from Hall of Fame coach John Fuchs in 2025.
Moeller and assistant coaches
Maddie Bangasser and
Paige Donner were instrumental in guiding the Vikings on the water to another standout season in 2026. In addition to the coaches that were at early-morning practices on Lake Samish and regattas throughout the season, the support staff of athletic trainer
Masa Migita and strength coaches
Damien Fisher and
Jerrod Lee were also praised by Moeller.
"This award is especially meaningful because it recognizes the collective effort behind our program. Our staff shows up every day with deep care and commitment to our student-athletes, including our administrative staff whose work behind the scenes makes so much of what we do possible," added Moeller. " I'm especially grateful for Maddie's leadership in building such a large novice group and setting them up for immediate success, Paige's steady dedication to the program, and Damien, Jerrod, and Masa for the essential work they do to keep our athletes healthy, supported, and ready to perform at their best. It's a privilege to be part of this team, and I can't think of a more deserving group."
WWU claimed the 2026 NCAA Division II Rowing National Championship recording a perfect team score of 30 winning the Varsity 8+ and Varsity 4+ on May 29 at Lake Lanier Olympic Park in Gainesville, Georgia.
ABOUT WWU ROWING
WWU Rowing is one of the elite collegiate rowing programs in the country across all divisions, having won 10 NCAA Division II National Championships. The Vikings have won two of the last three national titles (2024 & 2026), the 2017 title, placed 2nd in 2018, 3rd in 2019 and runner-up in 2022. WWU has competed in the NCAA Championships in 23 of the 25 NCAA Division II national regattas, taking home the gold (10 times), silver (5 times) and bronze (6) medal 21 times in the 24 years the NCAA Division II team title has been awarded, and reached the podium 21 times. Western won seven consecutive DII national championships from 2005-2011.
WWU Rowing Inside the Numbers:
22 – NCAA II Rowing Championship Appearances (out of 24)
18 – Individual Championships (Eights-8, Fours-10)
10 – National Championships (2005-11, 2017, 2024, 2026)
6 – 3rd Place Finishes at Nationals
5 – National Runner-Up Finishes
3 – GNAC Championships (in 6-year history of event)
