The Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association named William Smith senior Linnea Darius a finalist for its Division III Athlete of the Year this afternoon. She is the second Heron to be named a finalist for the award.
 
In its fifth year, the Athlete of the Year award provides a unique opportunity for the CRCA to acknowledge and recognize the individual efforts, impactful actions, and remarkable outcomes achieved over the academic year—a span during which these student-athletes have undeniably left a positive impact on their respective teams. Former Heron Elisa Faiola '24 was a finalist in her senior year.
 
Darius, who was named a first team All-American by the CRCA last week, was the stroke seat for the Herons' varsity eight this spring. She guided William Smith's top boat to a third-place finish at the NCAA Championships last month. It was the Herons' first medal at the NCAA's since 2013. The 1V's finish combined with the second varsity eight's finish earned William Smith a third place finish in the national championship standings, matching the program's best finish at nationals.
 
Darius earned first team All-Liberty League honors and was named to the Liberty League Crew of the Year after leading the Herons to a 10-second victory at the Liberty League Championships. It earned William Smith its first league title since 2016. She also won a bronze medal with the 1V at the New York State Championships. In the fall, Darius won a silver medal at the Head of the Charles Regatta in the Varsity four.
 
Darius is a four-year member of the Herons' varsity eight. She also stroked the varsity eight during her sophomore season when she earned second team All-Liberty League recognition. At this year's Herons Awards Banquet, she was presented with the Winn-Seeley Award and the S. Ford Weiskittel Most Valuable Oarswoman Award.
 
"I've had the chance to coach a lot of athletes, but occasionally, you come across someone who just operates on a different level. Linnea is that athlete," Head Coach Paul Bugenhagen said. "What separates her is how she shows up, every single day. In the last four years, she has been central to the transformation of our team by taking responsibility not just for herself but for the entire team, and she has carried that load exceptionally well. Everything she gets involved in gets better. Linnea is someone whose presence changes the standard, and that extends well beyond athletics. She is one of the best athletes and most complete people I've had the privilege of coaching."