WORCESTER -- Senior Henry Wagg (Portland, ME) earned Empacher-IRCA Division III All-America Honorable Mention recognition to headline a group of six WPI men's rowing student-athletes honored by the Intercollegiate Rowing Coaches Association (IRCA). Additionally, Nick Carignan (Litchfield, NH), Aidan Carter-Frem (Northboro, MA), Max Gosselin (Richmond, VT), Trajen Masner (Oneida, NY), Wagg, and TJ Weeden (Hopkinton, MA) garnered 2026 Empacher-IRCA Scholar Athlete accolades.

The recognition marks WPI's first Empacher-IRCA All-America selection since Wynn Roberts (Pittsford, NY) earned Division III Second Team honors in 2023, while six Engineers were recognized for their academic excellence, underscoring the program's continued success both on the water and in the classroom.

A Robotics Engineering and Mechanical Engineering major, Wagg collected his first career Empacher-IRCA Division III All-America Honorable Mention accolade after rowing with WPI's varsity eight throughout the 2026 spring campaign. The senior played a pivotal role in the Engineers successfully defending the McCarthy/McGee Cup as the varsity eight defeated nationally-ranked Coast Guard and Boston College to capture the prestigious trophy for the seventh time in its 10 contested editions. Wagg also helped the Crimson and Gray to a third-place finish in the varsity eight petite final at the New England Rowing Championships before concluding the season with a runner-up finish in the varsity eight petite final at the National Invitational Rowing Championship, where WPI finished just .584 seconds shy of victory. 

Carignan, Carter-Frem, Wagg and Weeden each earned their second consecutive Empacher-IRCA Scholar Athlete honor after also receiving the distinction in 2025, while Gosselin and Masner collected the recognition for the first time in their careers.

To be named an Empacher-IRCA Scholar Athlete, rowers and coxswains must be in their second year or more of eligibility, compete in one of their program's top three boats during the current season or race at the 2026 IRA Championship, and maintain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.50 through the fall semester.

To earn Empacher-IRCA All-America recognition, student-athletes must meet all institutional eligibility requirements, compete in their team's varsity boat during the spring season, be nominated by their institution, and be selected by the IRCA Board of Directors based on the strength of their varsity boat's performance, nomination rank, coach evaluations, individual achievements and erg score.

This season, 705 rowers and coxswains from 57 teams representing 49 IRCA member programs earned Scholar Athlete recognition, while 106 student-athletes from 38 teams were selected as First Team, Second Team or Honorable Mention All-Americans.

Formed in 2020, the Intercollegiate Rowing Coaches Association provides a collaborative forum for coaches of men's varsity rowing programs while promoting, preserving and advancing the sport throughout the United States. The IRCA Awards and Polling Committee, comprised of coaches from across all divisions, administers the organization's weekly polls and annual awards, including All-America recognition, Scholar Athlete honors, and Coach and Staff of the Year awards.

The IRCA also thanked Empacher Bootswerft for its continued partnership as the official sponsor of the organization's annual awards.

2026 Empacher IRCA Scholar Athletes

2026 Empacher IRCA All-Americans