SEATTLE — A former University of Washington (UW) rower has passed away, the university shared on Sunday.
Austin Regier died in a free-diving accident in the Phillippines, his family shared. Regier won a national championship in the four in the final collegiate race of his career in 2021.
"Austin had a special spirit he brought to life," said Michael Callahan, UW men's rowing 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 (for) adventure, competition and camaraderie."
Regier, a graduate of Mount Rainier High, learned to row at UW. He grew up in a family that served on Mercy Ships in Africa.
A true-walk on, Regier finished as a two-time IRA All-Academic honoree and captured a title in the Pac-12 and IRA title in the four during his collegiate career.
"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."
His former UW teammates, like Madison Molitor, met up at the Duchess Tavern Monday night to mourn together.
KING 5 asked him, "If you could tell Austin one thing-- one thing you wanted him to know-- what would you tell him?”
Molitor replied, "I’d probably tell him, just, 'Thank you.'" He continued, "Thank you for being such an example in how to... how to live a life touching so many people."
That was the sentiment echoed by Callahan on Monday.
"If I ever needed anything fixed, I just put Austin in different boats, and he just basically fixed the boat by himself. By the end, he’d just take on the responsibility,” said Callahan.
He said, as a coach, he would really appreciate that.
He added, "He understood that, that you were responsible for yourself, but also responsible for a bigger community around you.”
Callahan said "walk-ons" are tremendously rare these days for the UW Rowing team.
"He was a tremendous athlete," Callahan said. "I think he really helped to find the character of the team, the work ethic of the team."
He continued, "I tell you, when have a student that comes into our program, that learns to row, and by the end is winning a big championship? It's... pretty, pretty special.”
The UW Rowing team has offered to help with a memorial.
Callahan said, "We've already asked that we can do a memorial row. Sometimes we row a seven-man row with one seat open, similar to a fly-by in the Air Force or Navy when we've had a fallen pilot.”
They are waiting to learn his grieving family's wishes.
“He made a huge impact on a lot of people here, and we're really sorry that he's gone," said Callahan.
New York Yacht Club's American Magic posted to their website with a statement reading that he "played a pivotal role in [their] 37th America's Cup campaign in Barcelona."
They added, in part, "He will be remembered for his kindness, humility, and the friendships he built."