John Gartin
Head Coach
Ever since Nova Southeastern University began the rowing program, head coach John Gartin has been the face of its success. Entering his seventh season, Gartin has guided the program to attention at the conference, regional and national levels. Under Gartin's tutelage, NSU claimed the 2009 NCAA Varsity 4 National Championship. The Sharks have won the last three straight Sunshine State Conference team championships and earned bids to the NCAA Division II National Championships each season. Additionally, at least one Shark has garnered Collegiate Rowing Coaches Assocation (CRCA) All-American status in each of the last six seasons Cindy Fong (2009), Rachel Garbaj (2009), Monica Henderson (2008), Nicole Felluca (2007), Cheyenne Poskey (2006, 2007), Katrena Bonilla (2005) and Jen Rembe (2004).
In 2009, NSU reached new heights. The Sharks' Varsity 4 boat proved to be the best at the NCAA Division II level as coxswain Heather Clayton, Lauren McElhenny, Claire Kurlychek, Ashley Lofria and Jessica Sutter rowed their way to the 2009 NCAA Division II Varsity 4 National Championship. The quartet produced a race-winning time of 7:53.04 en route to collecting NSU's first-ever title at the NCAA Division II National Championships. As a team, the Sharks finished third overall at the NCAA Championships.
Also during the 2009 season, NSU captured team championships at both the Florida Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships and the SSC Championships. The Sharks' FIRA title marked the first time in program history. NSU dominated the team standings, easily winning the FIRA Championships in a field that consisted of Division I and Division II schools. At the SSC Championships, the Sharks' Varsity 8 and Varsity 4 boats swept the competition en route to NSU's three-peat as conference champion.
NSU's Varsity 8 was the dominant boat when it came to SSC weekly awards during the 2009 season. The Varsity 8 was named SSC Boat of the Week four-straight weeks. Meanwhile, NSU had eight rowers receive All-SSC honors, including four from the Varsity 8 boat. Cindy Fong, Rachel Garbaj, Megankate McDonald and coxswain Marissa Stickles all rowed with the Varsity 8 and were named to the All-SSC Team. The Varsity 4 had an All-SSC Team selection in Lauren McElhenny and All-Freshman Team honorees coxswain Heather Clayton, Claire Kurlychek and Jessicae Sutter.
Last season, NSU ranked as high as No. 3 in the USRowing/CRCA Division II National Poll. The Sharks successfully defended their SSC Championship from the previous year, once again sweeping the competition with 20 points and claiming wins in both the Varsity 8 and the Varsity 4. NSU was ultimately one of four schools to receive a full-team bid to the NCAA Division II Championships, marking the NSU's fifth-straight appearance.
Individually, NSU racked up on the honors. Senior Monica Henderson was tabbed SSC Rower of the Year and also named a CRCA All-American. Meanwhile Gartin was selected as Coach of the Year. For the second-straight season, the NSU Varsity 8 was named Boat of the Year. Additionally, seven Sharks received All-SSC distinction. Henderson, juniors Cindy Fong, Rachel Garbaj and coxswain Ashley Archibald and freshman Chloe Willis all earned sports on the All-SSC Team. Meanwhile, freshmen Kara Coffey and Samantha Moriarty were both named to the All-Freshman Team.
The Sharks accomplished several major goals during the 2006-07 season. NSU finished fourth at the 2007 NCAA Championships in Oak Ridge, Tenn., with both the Varsity 8 and Varsity 4+ reaching the Grand Finals for the first time in program history. The team also captured the Florida Intercollegiate Rowing Association Varsity 8 Championship and won the 2007 SSC Championship with victories in both the Varsity 8 and Varsity 4. NSU also produced six All-SSC and two All-Freshman rowers as well as the Boat of the Year, the Varsity 8, and Rower of the Year, Nicole Felluca.
The 2005-06 Sharks finished third overall in the nation after a third-place Varsity 8 finish in the Grand Final and a fourth-place Varsity 4+ finish at the 2006 NCAA Championships in Princeton, N.J. The 2006 Sharks also had an undefeated season in the lightweight 4+, captured the SSC Championship in the Varsity 4+ and won the Lyden cup in the Varsity 8+ race at the Rollins Invitational.
In 2004-05, NSU became the first SSC institution to ever finish as high as third in the nation and also was ranked No. 2 nationally for the highest ranking ever by an NSU team. With a 20 members on the roster, the Sharks' Varsity 8+ crew captured five first-place finishes, including a first-place showing at the SSC Championships, and three second-place finishes, while the Varsity 4+ notched six first-place and two second-place finishes. NSU made its second appearance at the NCAA Division II Championships and its first as a full-team as the Sharks were one of four institutions to receive a full-team bid. Gartin and his crew headed to Sacramento, Calif. finished fourth with 11 team points at the 2005 NCAA Division II Championships. The Varsity 4+ placed fourth and the Varsity 8 finished second behind national champions Western Washington.
NSU set the bar for success high early on as, in their inaugural season, the Sharks received an at-large bid to the 2004 NCAA Division II Championships. The Varsity 8 won the Petite Final, earning them a fifth-place finish in the event at the NCAA Division II National Championships. The Sharks earned a No. 5 ranking during the season, not only a first for the rowing team, but also tying the highest ranking ever earned by an NSU program at the time (women's golf, 2003-04). The Sharks became the first team to ever reach Nationals in an inaugural season of competition.
Gartin came to NSU from the San Diego rowing club, where he was the masters women's head coach for two years. During his tenure, Gartin led his crew to several championships, including the 2002 SW Regional Masters Championship, the 2001 and 2002 Newport Autumn Rowing Festival, and the 2001 and 2002 San Diego Fall Classic; and third-, fourth- and fifth-place finishes at the 2003 San Diego Crew Classic in the Master A 8+, Open 8+ and Club 8+ events, respectively.
Prior to the San Diego rowing club, Gartin was a volunteer assistant women's rowing coach at San Diego State, the head rowing instructor at the Mission Bay Aquatic Center and the men's head coach of the San Diego State men's rowing club. Gartin also was an adjunct faculty member specializing in human and physical geography at California State University-San Marcos, Palomar College, and Cuyamaca College.
Gartin holds a bachelor of science degree in geography from Old Dominion University, where he was also a member of ODU's rowing club. He received a master of arts degree in geography from the University of South Carolina.
