PRINCETON, N.J. - Anna Mickelson (Bellevue, Wash.) and Brett Newlin (Riverton, Wyo.) have been named USRowing's 2006 Female and Male Athletes of the Year, respectively, the organization announced on Tuesday.

Mickelson, a six-time national team member and 2004 Olympic silver medalist, won a gold medal in the women's eight and finished fourth in the women's pair at the 2006 FISA World Rowing Championships, capping off an outstanding year. At the world championships, she helped the eight set a new world record en route to its gold medal and stroked the U.S. pair to its best world finish since the 2000 Olympic Games. Mickelson, a 2002 graduate of the University of Washington, also won gold in the women's pair at the 2006 FISA World Cup stop in Lucerne, Switzerland, and helped the women's eight win gold at the 2006 Henley Royal Regatta.

"I am honored to be named the female athlete of the year by my teammates," Mickelson said. "This award is extremely valuable to me because my team knows more than anyone what it takes to compete at the elite level. I will count this award as my most valuable because it represents not only the amazing results I had this year, but more importantly, all the people who helped me achieve my dreams. From Seattle to San Diego to Princeton, I can't wait to share this honor with those I call the Mickelson Crew."

Newlin, a 2005 graduate of the University of Washington, stroked the men's four to a fourth-place finish at the 2006 FISA World Championships. It was the top U.S. finish in the event since 2001. Newlin also raced in the men's eight that won the 2006 E.ON Hanse Cup, a 12.7 kilometer long-distance race held in Germany. Domestically, the two-time national team member won the men's pair at both the second and third USRowing National Selection Regattas.

"It's a great honor," Newlin said. "I know that the award is voted on by my peers and there are a lot guys out there that are just as deserving of this award. I just feel really honored to win the award."

The athletes and coaches of the 2006 World Championships squad selected this year's USRowing Male and Female Athletes of the Year. Mickelson and Newlin will be honored on December 1 at the USRowing Annual Awards Reception in Portland, Ore. Both are first-time recipients of the award.