Former Washington oarsman and IRA champion Austin Regier '20 has passed away, his family has shared.

Regier, who won a national championship in the four in the final college race of his career in 2021, was the victim of a free-diving accident in the Philippines.

"Austin had a special spirit he brought to life," said UW men's rowing head coach . "He always jumped into his communities with both feet, and left a positive impact on everyone who had the honor of spending time with him. He had a contagious, positive attitude and was wise for being so young. He was a man of the highest character, conviction, and insuppressible joy. He had a passion adventure, competition and camaraderie.

"Austin was a Washington oarsmen to his core," Callahan continued. "His heart for loving people and his faith was evident every day, and to all who knew him."

A true walk-on who learned to row at UW, Regier grew up with a family that served on Mercy Ships in Africa. He graduated from Mount Rainier High, south of Seattle, before enrolling at Washington, where he joined the rowing team.

A two-time IRA All-Academic honoree, Regier worked his way up the ranks and, after the pandemic canceled his would-be senior season in 2020, returned for a fifth year in 2021, when he earned both a Pac-12 and IRA title in the four.

After earning his degree in industrial & systems engineering, Regier and Husky teammate Madison Molitor '19 changed course to another maritime sport, joining the NYYC American Magic team and competing in the 2024 Americas Cup yacht race.