CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — MIT men's lightweight crew seniors Harry Sillifant and Lucas Young were named 2026 Empacher-Intercollegiate Rowing Coaches Association (IRCA) All-Americans following the 2025-26 season. Sillifant earned a spot on the first team, while Young was named to the second team.
Sillifant and Young each earned All-American honors for the third time in their career. Sillifant was a first-team selection in 2025 after earning second-team honors in 2022-23. Young earned All-American recognition for the third year in a row, earning a spot on the second-team following back-to-back first-team selections in 2024 and 2025.
Sillifant and Young rowed in MIT's first varsity eight throughout the spring, helping the Engineers advance to the grand final of the IRA National Championship for the second consecutive season. The duo also helped MIT make an appearance in the grand final at Eastern Sprints after recording victories over Cornell, Navy, and Bates during the spring season. Sillifant rowed in the stroke seat and Young rowed in the fourth seat at the Knecht Cup, where MIT won silver. The duo also helped MIT to capture the Joy Cup with a victory over Georgetown and Yale and spring-opening National Collegiate Lightweight Invitational (NCLI).
To be named an All-American, rowers and coxswains must meet all eligibility rules defined by their institution, have raced in their team's varsity boat for the current spring racing season, be nominated by their institution, and have a head coach in good standing with the IRCA. Student-athletes are selected by the IRCA Board of Directors to "1st team", "2nd team", or "Honorable Mention" based on strength of finish of the institution's varsity boat, nomination rank within institution, coach's comments, individual achievements, and erg score.
There were 106 rowers and coxswains who met the criteria to be named a first-team, second-team, or honorable mention All-American, representing 38 teams (25 heavyweight, 12 Division 3, and 8 lightweight) in 2026.
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