Issue link: https://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/993527
163 Editor's Note: e University of Iowa scored 69 points and placed 11th at the NCAA Rowing Championships from May 25-26 in Sarasota, Florida. I f you are a student-athlete at Parker High School in South Dakota, there is an unwritten code that you compete in some sport, any sport, year round. For Contessa Harold, that was volleyball in fall, basketball in winter, and track and field in spring. e other activities offered to female Pheasant student-athletes are cheerleading, cross country, and golf. Not surprisingly, the sport of rowing isn't on the list. Harold, a sophomore, is making up for lost time at the University of Iowa. She played a key role when the Hawkeyes competed in their second consecutive NCAA Championships from May 25-27 in Sarasota, Florida. Harold was named Big Ten Conference Co-Athlete of the Year with Michigan's Kendall Brewer on May 16. She was also named first-team All-Big Ten. "To me, it's all about the team," Harold said. "It is an honor because the Big Ten is deep in rowing, it's very competitive. is year (the Big Ten is) sending five teams (to nationals). It is a big field and for me to get selected out of that is an honor." Joining the Hawkeyes from the Big Ten in the postseason were Ohio State, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Indiana. Harold was a member of the Hawkeye 1Varsity8 boat that was seeded seventh. Iowa was eighth in the 2Varsity8 and 14th in the 1Varsity4. Harold was in the 2Varsity8 boat at the NCAA Championships a year ago in West Windsor, New Jersey, when the Hawkeyes placed fih and advanced to the C/D semifinal. ey placed third in the semifinal and third in the C final to finish 15th overall. It was the first time Iowa competed in an NCAA Championships since 2001. "I didn't quite realize how big of a deal it was," Harold said. "I mostly heard it from my teammates who said we haven't done this in forever. It took me awhile to realize how big of a deal this was. "Seeing how hard everyone has worked — especially over this past summer — now I see it is a big deal. We have to work hard to get here, but we are capable of doing it and it is amazing." So, how did the three-sport athlete from Chancellor in the southeast corner of South Dakota end up at Iowa? "I wanted to go somewhere that was far from home, but not too terribly far," Harold said. "(Iowa) seemed nice because I also like Midwest culture and thought it would be a nice place to visit." In Iowa City, Harold saw more than a beautiful downtown. She also saw opportunities. She hadn't heard of the Hawkeye rowing team yet — although she was intrigued while watching the sport during a recent Olympic games. "With all the student organizations Iowa has, I thought it was a good place where I could find a lot of fun things to do," Harold said. Harold and her roommate messaged each other in the days leading up to freshman arrival. Her roommate had participated in a "Learn to Row Day" with a community club and thought about giving the sport a try at Iowa. Harold heard the rowing coaches like women who were tall; she is tall. Harold also heard they like women who exceled in volleyball; she was team captain and defensive most valuable player. "When we see athletes, whether they are volleyball players, basketball players, track athletes, or