SEATTLE, Wash. — The University of Washington (UW) says a former oarsman and IRA champion has died.
Austin Regier’s family shared with the university that he passed away during a freediving accident in the Philippines.
Regier won a national championship in the four in the final college race of his career in 2021.
“Austin had a special spirit he brought to life,” said UW men’s rowing head coach Michael Callahan in a release on their website. “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 for adventure, competition, and camaraderie.
Regier graduated from Mount Rainier High School in South Seattle before enrolling at UW. He was a walk-on who learned to row at the university. Regier was a two-time IRA All-Academic honoree who worked his way up the ranks. After the pandemic canceled his would-be senior year in 2020, he returned for a fifth year in 2021. During that season, the university says he earned both a Pac-12 and IRA title in the four.
“Austin was a Washington oarsman to his core,” Callahan said. “His heart for loving people and his faith was evident every day, and to all who knew him.”
Regier was 27 years old.
To donate to a GoFundMe to cover the cost of bringing Austin home, click here.
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