NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Timmy Parsons, the 2025-26 Yale lightweight crew captain, has been named USRowing Under 23 National Team Male Athlete of the Year. USRowing announced the honor on Thursday. Parsons, along with U23 National Team Female Athlete of the Year Kathryn Serra, will be recognized at the 2026 Golden Oars Gala on Nov. 5.
The Athlete of the Year award was selected by the athletes and coaches of the team that competed at the 2026 World Rowing Under 23 Championships in Duisburg, Germany. At that event, Parsons capped his fourth consecutive U23 World Championships appearance with a bronze medal in the men's four, racing alongside Kian Aminian, Jordan Dykema and Tobias Finn. The U.S. crew secured the bronze medal behind Great Britain and Australia.
Parsons then earned a gold medal in the Under 23 Mixed Eight. The mixed eight saw the gold medal-winning US women's four join forces with the bronze medal-winning US men's four for the inaugural mixed eight event.
A six-time national team member, Parsons first represented the United States in 2021 and 2022 at the U19 level before making his U23 debut in 2023. He is the first Yale athlete to earn the USRowing Under 23 National Team Male Athlete of the Year Award. The award dates back to 2018.
At Yale, Parsons rowed in the 1V throughout his career.
"I am so honored to have been selected as the 2026 U23 Men's Athlete of the Year," said Parsons. "The caliber of athletes, my teammates, this summer was unmatched to any other national team I have been a part of. Not only the quality of athletes on the water but the quality of athletes as people. This year's team was a true privilege to be a part of. I want to say a big thank you to the coaches at camp that fostered and promoted that culture and environment, Sergio Espinoza, Trevor Michelson, Noah Axford, and especially Andrew Hess who has been coaching me since my first Jr National team. I have separately worked with all four of these coaches over the past few years so it really meant a lot to have them all together leading the team.
"I also want to thank my coaches at Yale,
Andy Card and
Ned DelGuercio. Throughout my four years at school, they have always supported me wholeheartedly in my national team endeavors. They have encouraged and supported my growth as an athlete and a person."
Parsons is a graduate of South Eugene High School.
