MARIETTA, Ohio – Two members of the Marietta College men's rowing team earned an impressive post season award. For the second year straight, Ben Harper was named to the 2026 Empacher - Intercollegiate Rowing Coaches Association All-American second team. Also earning the honor was senior coxswain Bryce West (Zanesville, Ohio/West Muskingum).

"It's great to get some recognition on the national stage for some of our specific athletes here at Marietta," said Marietta Men's Rowing head coach Greg Myhr. "Our entire squad has made a lifestyle of going above and beyond - in the classroom as well as at the boathouse."

To claim All-American status, collegiate rowers and coxswains must have met all eligibility rules defined by their institution and raced in their team's varsity boat for the current spring racing season.

"Being named second team All-Americans is a really nice "feather in the cap" for seniors Ben "the horse" Harper and Bryce  West," said Myhr. "In some respects, these two couldn't be more different. Ben arrived as a highly regarded recruited oarsman, and proceeded to systematically destroy almost every erg record here, becoming an elite sculler in the process. Bryce came to Marietta to play soccer; didn't make the team; tried rowing; then found the coxswain's seat and never looked back. In addition to winning two Dad Vail gold medals with the varsity, Bryce also took over boathouse operations and became our de-facto boatman. Ben and Bryce will be forever linked by the indelible mark they've each left on this program."

The IRCA was formed in 2020 to aid in the "promotion, preservation, and continued growth of the coaching profession and men's collegiate rowing in the United States." They were also pleased to announce the continued support of Emptier Bootswerft, who remains the sponsor for both the Scholar Athletes and All Americans.

Fans can follow all the Pioneer teams all year long at pioneers.marietta.edu. You can also follow the Pioneers on Facebook at facebook.com/MariettaCollege and @MariettaPioneer on X and Instagram.