Official CRCA Release

TACOMA, Wash. -- The Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) released its Athletes to Watch for the 2026 season on Monday with Pacific Lutheran University women's rowing's Riah Heil one of 18 NCAA Division III student-athletes recognized.

Heil is one of 18 student-athletes from around NCAA Division III to be recognized by the CRCA and one of just two from the West Coast, joining Lewis & Clark College's Meredith Lybbert.

A junior from Maple Valley, Washington, Heil was named First Team All-Northwest Conference last spring in addition to securing CRCA Scholar-Athlete Award honors. Heil was part of Lute boats that earned NWC Crew of the Week honors three times last year and was a member of the varsity eight boat that finished eighth nationally at the 2025 NCAA Division III Championships.

Heil and the Lutes begin the spring season on March 7, hosting the PLU Invitational on American Lake.