BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Western Washington University women's rowing team claimed their 10th national title in 2026 and was equally impressive in the classroom with several academic awards.

 

The Vikings had 11 athletes earn all-academic awards from the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, seven CRCA Scholar-Athlete award winners and five student-athletes earned a spot on the Academic All-District At-Large team.

 

WWU was led by five student-athletes that swept the three big academic awards in 2026, with senior coxswains Janisa Cookand Malea Moy, senior rowers Taylor Wall and Lex Clark and junior rower Sarah Plemons all earning a spot on each team. Wall, Clark and Plemons doubled as All-GNAC performers. Additionally, Wall, Plemons and Moy earned a spot on the CRCA All-America team for NCAA Division II. WWU swept both the GNAC and NCAA Championships this season to claim gold medals in both the Varsity 8+ and Varsity 4+ - coxed by Cook and Moy respectively.

 

WWU had seven student-athletes earn the coveted CRCA Scholar-Athlete Award for the 2026 season. These awards honor outstanding collegiate rowers who exemplify excellence both in the classroom and on the water, celebrating the commitment, discipline, and academic achievement of student-athletes who rise to the challenge of excelling in a demanding sport while maintaining exceptional academic performance. Student-athletes must be in their 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th year of eligibility and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher through the end of the winter quarter. The student-athletes needed to compete in 75 percent of their team's spring races in NCAA boats. Or, they could have competed in an NCAA boat at their conference or national championship.

 

•               Lex Clark (Sr., 3.72, Urban Planning/GIS)

•               Janisa Cook (Sr., 3.57, MBA)

•               Shae Mitchel (Sr., 3.53, Public Health)

•               Malea Moy (Sr., 3.92, Inclusive Education)

•               Sarah Plemons (Jr., 3.97, Geology/Spanish)

•               Illy Schneiderman (So., 3.95, Early Childhood Ed)

•               Taylor Wall (Sr., 3.76, History/Political Science)

 

Western had five team members earn Academic All-District honors presented by the College Sports Communicators on the At-Large team. These student-athletes met the criteria maintaining at least a 3.50 GPA and competing in at least four competitions or as a member of an NCAA boat. Taylor Wall and Sarah Plemons move on to the All-America ballot for the At-Large team.

 

•               Lex Clark (Sr., 3.72, Urban Planning/GIS)

•               Janisa Cook (Sr., 3.57, MBA)

•               Malea Moy (Sr., 3.92, Inclusive Education)

•               Sarah Plemons (Jr., 3.97, Geology/Spanish)

•               Taylor Wall (Sr., 3.76, History/Political Science)

 

WWU featured 11 selections to the 2026 GNAC All-Conference Academic team, presented by Barnes & Noble College. Student-athletes must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.20, must be in at least their second season competing for their team and must have competed during the 2025 season. Seniors Malea Moy, Kylie Lovrich, Taylor Wall, Janisa Cook and Lex Clark became three-time GNAC Academic All-Stars to highlight the Vikings selections:

 

•               Ellie Calvez (Jr., 3.71, Kinesiology)

•               Lex Clark (Sr., 3.72, Urban Planning/GIS)

•               Janisa Cook (Sr., 3.57, MBA)

•               Mackenzie Gerlach (Jr., 3.69, Environmental Science)

•               Kallie Lechtenberg (So., 3.49, Kinesiology)

•               Kylie Lovrich (Sr., 3.56, Math-Secondary Ed)

•               Shae Mitchel (Sr., 3.53, Public Health)

•               Malea Moy (Sr., 3.92, Inclusive Education)

•               Sarah Plemons (Jr., 3.97, Geology/Spanish)

•               Illy Schneiderman (So., 3.95, Early Childhood Ed)

•               Taylor Wall (Sr., 3.76, History/Political Science)