From Reluctant Rower To World Champion
December 04, 2025 | Men's Rowing
Ryan Martin '26 almost walked away from the sport—but now he's setting the pace for Washington and Team USA.
From the latest edition of Sweep Magazine:
UW Rower Ryan Martin '26 may have a habit of leaving things until the last minute, but when the stakes are highest, he always comes through.
What began as a reluctant nod to his parents' insistence that he join a high school sport has turned into a meteoric rise through the ranks of rowing. Today, Martin is not only a national champion with Washington, but also a world champion for the United States—a journey that almost didn't happen.
Martin's rowing story began at Pacifica Christian High School in Newport Beach, Calif., where he joined the team simply as an extracurricular activity. When the school cut the program, he moved to the Newport Sea Base rowing club. Even then, rowing wasn't love at first stroke.
"I didn't like rowing at all until my senior year," Martin admits. "By then, I figured, 'I'm stuck doing this anyway—I might as well try to be good at it.' And through actually trying, I found enjoyment in it."
That decision changed everything. Martin capped his youth career with a gold medal at Youth Nationals, a breakthrough that opened doors to collegiate rowing. Soon after, he was on a plane to Seattle to visit Washington—and committed on the spot.
"Right after Youth Nationals, I flew straight out to Seattle," he says, "and then just committed when I was there."
Martin arrived at Conibear Shellhouse with modest expectations and little knowledge of what lay ahead. As a freshman in 2023, he earned silver in the Freshman 8+ at the Pac-12 Championships. A year later, he struck gold in the Third Varsity 8+ at IRAs. But the real leap came this past spring.
Throughout the season Martin anchored the Huskies' Second Varsity 8+ from the stroke seat, leading the crew to an undefeated season and a win at the inaugural MPSF Championships. Then came the call: just weeks before the IRA National Championship, Martin and two teammates were moved into the Varsity 8+. Their task? Blend seamlessly with the top boat and defend Washington's national title.
UW wasn't the favorite, but the Huskies rose to the occasion. With Martin setting the rhythm from stroke seat, Washington captured its 21st national championship.
"The move was definitely a surprise," Martin says. "It's a big switch, especially in stroke, but the guys in that boat row at such a high level—they were able to adapt and respond quickly. We knew if we executed the race the way we needed to, we could win."
And win they did. But Martin's summer held another twist: an invitation to the U.S. Under-23 National Team, where he reunited with former UW assistant coach Sergio Espinoza, who had helped recruit him to UW. Once again, Martin delivered. In his first international appearance, he and Husky teammate Lyle Donovan powered the U.S. men's four to gold at the World Rowing Under-23 Championships in Poznan, Poland.
Not bad for someone who once dreaded the sport.
With a national title and a world championship under his belt, Martin's future looks bright. Could the senior national team be next?
"If the chance comes, I'd do it for sure," Martin says with a grin.
You'll find this story and much more in the latest edition of Washington Rowing's SWEEP Magazine. See the link at the top of this page to check it out.
From the latest edition of Sweep Magazine:
UW Rower Ryan Martin '26 may have a habit of leaving things until the last minute, but when the stakes are highest, he always comes through.
What began as a reluctant nod to his parents' insistence that he join a high school sport has turned into a meteoric rise through the ranks of rowing. Today, Martin is not only a national champion with Washington, but also a world champion for the United States—a journey that almost didn't happen.
Martin's rowing story began at Pacifica Christian High School in Newport Beach, Calif., where he joined the team simply as an extracurricular activity. When the school cut the program, he moved to the Newport Sea Base rowing club. Even then, rowing wasn't love at first stroke.
"I didn't like rowing at all until my senior year," Martin admits. "By then, I figured, 'I'm stuck doing this anyway—I might as well try to be good at it.' And through actually trying, I found enjoyment in it."
That decision changed everything. Martin capped his youth career with a gold medal at Youth Nationals, a breakthrough that opened doors to collegiate rowing. Soon after, he was on a plane to Seattle to visit Washington—and committed on the spot.
"Right after Youth Nationals, I flew straight out to Seattle," he says, "and then just committed when I was there."
Martin arrived at Conibear Shellhouse with modest expectations and little knowledge of what lay ahead. As a freshman in 2023, he earned silver in the Freshman 8+ at the Pac-12 Championships. A year later, he struck gold in the Third Varsity 8+ at IRAs. But the real leap came this past spring.
Throughout the season Martin anchored the Huskies' Second Varsity 8+ from the stroke seat, leading the crew to an undefeated season and a win at the inaugural MPSF Championships. Then came the call: just weeks before the IRA National Championship, Martin and two teammates were moved into the Varsity 8+. Their task? Blend seamlessly with the top boat and defend Washington's national title.
UW wasn't the favorite, but the Huskies rose to the occasion. With Martin setting the rhythm from stroke seat, Washington captured its 21st national championship.
"The move was definitely a surprise," Martin says. "It's a big switch, especially in stroke, but the guys in that boat row at such a high level—they were able to adapt and respond quickly. We knew if we executed the race the way we needed to, we could win."
And win they did. But Martin's summer held another twist: an invitation to the U.S. Under-23 National Team, where he reunited with former UW assistant coach Sergio Espinoza, who had helped recruit him to UW. Once again, Martin delivered. In his first international appearance, he and Husky teammate Lyle Donovan powered the U.S. men's four to gold at the World Rowing Under-23 Championships in Poznan, Poland.
Not bad for someone who once dreaded the sport.
With a national title and a world championship under his belt, Martin's future looks bright. Could the senior national team be next?
"If the chance comes, I'd do it for sure," Martin says with a grin.
You'll find this story and much more in the latest edition of Washington Rowing's SWEEP Magazine. See the link at the top of this page to check it out.
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