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149 T he University of Iowa rowing program entered the Big Ten Championships on May 14 ranked fourth in the region and 12th nationally. at's testimony to how far the Hawkeyes have climbed since Cristy Hartman was a freshman in 2014. Hartman, who graduated this spring, was a member of Iowa's 2V8 boat that placed sixth in the Big Ten in 2014. As a team that year, the Hawkeyes were at the bottom of the seven-team conference, 16 points out of sixth and a whopping 125 away from the league champion. In 2017, thanks to development of several Iowa student-athletes — including Hartman — the Hawkeyes knocked down the door for inclusion to the NCAA's postseason party. Iowa shared fourth place in the Big Ten Championships by scoring 106 points and Hartman was named first-team all-conference. e Hawkeyes also advanced to the NCAA Division I Championships for the first time since 2001 from May 26-28 in West Windsor, New Jersey. Hartman graduated from Germantown (Wisconsin) High School, where she participated in cross country and track and field as an underclassman. A cross country teammate encouraged her to pursue rowing and soon Hartman was a member of the Milwaukee Rowing Club. It wasn't long until former University of Iowa assistant coach Beth Redfern was recruiting Hartman to become a Hawkeye. "I liked it here, I liked the atmosphere, so I decided to give it a try," Hartman said. "(Rowing) has taught me consistency and never giving up on things. If you go aer it, you can achieve it." One of Hartman's achievements is earning a double-major in exercise science and psychology from the University of Iowa. She isn't sure when she will put those degrees to use — the immediate plan is to decompress a while at her parents' home in Jackson, Wisconsin, before mapping her future. A potential option is becoming a rowing coach in either high school or college. "Rowing is a completely different world from when I was in high school," Hartman said. "A lot of teams are being added and times are getting faster." Andrew Carter recently wrapped up his fourth season as head coach for the Hawkeyes and was named Region 4 Coach of the Year by the College Rowing Coaches Association. He thinks Hartman has attributes to become a successful instructor. "She is pragmatic and looks at the real picture; she doesn't look at everything through rose-colored glasses," Carter said. "She is honest and critical, but in a positive way. She is constructive and looking for ways to improve — if she turns that around as a coach and gives that different perspective, I think she would be successful." Hartman worked her way up Iowa's rowing depth chart, starting in the sixth seat of the 2V8 boat as a freshman and finishing in the stroke seat of the 1V8 as a senior. "She stroked our top eight and has done that without exception for the entire year; she has done a phenomenal job," Carter said. "I don't think she puts herself anywhere close to being on a pedestal, but in many respects, that's where she belongs." Much of Hartman's development is related to her work ethic and an understanding that growth isn't always immediate. "Every day in college rowing, if you don't try your hardest and hit your numbers, you are falling behind the other teams," Hartman said. "In December, if you don't give your all, you are going to lose in May. It is getting your ducks in a row early so you can be successful."