Co-sponsored by row2k Media, USRowing Fan's Choice Awards will be given to a 'Athlete of the Year' in the junior, collegiate, masters and national team categories and a 'Coach of the Year' in the junior, collegiate and masters category.

USRowing maintains a strong and long tradition of rewarding excellence in rowing. Following a year of unprecedented achievement, the rowing community has designated strong nominees for the 2014 Fan's Choice Awards which are solely nominated and voted on by rowing fans.

View the finalists in each category:
-Junior Athlete of the Year
-Collegiate Athlete of the Year
-Masters Athlete of the Year
-National Team Athlete of the Year
-Junior Coach of the Year
-Collegiate Coach of the Year
-Masters Coach of the Year

The selection committee used following criteria to determine the finalists:

Athlete of the Year: A male or female rower or coxswain who has achieved extraordinary success in 2014. Success may be defined as an outstanding performance, having a breakout year, perseverance in spite of difficult odds, consistently strong performance, outstanding service off the water, or a combination of the above or other worthy measures.

Coach of the Year: A rowing coach who has achieved extraordinary success in 2014. Success may be defined as outstanding performance, having a breakout year, making a significant impact on an individual athlete or team performance, perseverance in spite of difficult odds, consistent strong performance, or a combination of the above or other worthy measures.

It is intended that fans vote once in each category. Voting closes at midnight EST on Monday, October 20. Winners will be announced that week and recognized at the 2014 Golden Oars Awards Dinner on November 20 at the New York Athletic Club in New York City. Winners will also attend a pre-event meet and greet with fellow award winners, 2014 World Champions and 2012 Olympians. Tickets are available; click here for more information.

USRowing and row2k Media would like to thank all the members of the rowing community for nominating such strong athletes and coaches for consideration for these Awards. We were pleased to have such an excellent response to our call for nominations to recognize excellence across all categories.

Good luck to all the finalists!

PLEASE NOTE - Award voting is intended to be one vote per person from among the extended rowing community and their family and friends; in the event of electronic, hired, or other similar ballot-stuffing attempts, affected votes may be deleted and nominees potentially disqualified.