Photo by: MARC LEBRYK
Rocek, Palmer, Farooq Sweep Big Ten Rowing Honors
May 20, 2026 | Women's Rowing
Three days after winning six of seven finals to earn a second consecutive Big Ten Championship, the Washington women's rowing team earned another handful of honors, sweeping the conference's postseason awards.
Washington's Aisha Rocek was named Big Ten Women's Rowing Athlete of the Year for the second year in a row, Jayna Palmer earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year and 10th-year head coach Yasmin Farooq was honored as Coach of the Year, the conference announced today.
Rocek, a two-time Olympian, has been a member of the varsity eight crew for all of her four years at Washington. Late this spring, she moved into the stroke seat of the Huskies' top boat, and led the Huskies to the Big Ten title last weekend. She is the fourth UW woman named a conference athlete of the year, and the only one to be so honored twice.
Palmer, who only began to row after high school, nonetheless spent all of her first season at Washington in the varsity eight. The daughter of 2020 U.S. Olympic rower Torrey (Folk) Palmer, Jayna competed in Nordic skiing, cross country and track and field in high school. She is the sixth UW rower to win a conference freshman or newcomer of the year award.
Farooq, who has guided the Huskies to six conference titles, was named Big Ten Coach of the Year for the first time. A two-time U.S. Olympian herself, Farooq was named Pac-12 Coach of the Year four times as the Husky head coach and on two additional occasions as head coach at Stanford.
In addition to the three conference-wide honors, two Huskies were named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team, also announced today. Palmer earned a place on that squad alongside Issy Melville. Melville spent time in both the varsity eight and second varsity eight during the 2026 season, stroking the 2V to the Big Ten championship last Sunday.
On Sunday, the Big Ten also announced its all-conference team. Rocek, coxswain Izzy Michaelson and Violet Holbrow Brooksbank were named to the first team, while Mira Calder, Zola Kemp and Jess Weir earned second-team All-Big Ten. Additionally, UW captain Margaret Young was honored as Washington's recipient of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.
Washington will head to Gainesville, Ga., and the Lake Lanier Olympic Park next week, where the Huskies will compete at 2026 NCAA Rowing Championships May 29-31.
For news, scores, highlights and more, download the Go Huskies app on your mobile device. Follow @washingtrowing on Instagram, Threads, Facebook and TikTok; and @UW_Rowing on X, and subscribe to UW Athletics on YouTube for the latest on the Dawgs.
Washington's Aisha Rocek was named Big Ten Women's Rowing Athlete of the Year for the second year in a row, Jayna Palmer earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year and 10th-year head coach Yasmin Farooq was honored as Coach of the Year, the conference announced today.
Rocek, a two-time Olympian, has been a member of the varsity eight crew for all of her four years at Washington. Late this spring, she moved into the stroke seat of the Huskies' top boat, and led the Huskies to the Big Ten title last weekend. She is the fourth UW woman named a conference athlete of the year, and the only one to be so honored twice.
Palmer, who only began to row after high school, nonetheless spent all of her first season at Washington in the varsity eight. The daughter of 2020 U.S. Olympic rower Torrey (Folk) Palmer, Jayna competed in Nordic skiing, cross country and track and field in high school. She is the sixth UW rower to win a conference freshman or newcomer of the year award.
Farooq, who has guided the Huskies to six conference titles, was named Big Ten Coach of the Year for the first time. A two-time U.S. Olympian herself, Farooq was named Pac-12 Coach of the Year four times as the Husky head coach and on two additional occasions as head coach at Stanford.
In addition to the three conference-wide honors, two Huskies were named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team, also announced today. Palmer earned a place on that squad alongside Issy Melville. Melville spent time in both the varsity eight and second varsity eight during the 2026 season, stroking the 2V to the Big Ten championship last Sunday.
On Sunday, the Big Ten also announced its all-conference team. Rocek, coxswain Izzy Michaelson and Violet Holbrow Brooksbank were named to the first team, while Mira Calder, Zola Kemp and Jess Weir earned second-team All-Big Ten. Additionally, UW captain Margaret Young was honored as Washington's recipient of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.
Washington will head to Gainesville, Ga., and the Lake Lanier Olympic Park next week, where the Huskies will compete at 2026 NCAA Rowing Championships May 29-31.
For news, scores, highlights and more, download the Go Huskies app on your mobile device. Follow @washingtrowing on Instagram, Threads, Facebook and TikTok; and @UW_Rowing on X, and subscribe to UW Athletics on YouTube for the latest on the Dawgs.
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