Ever since 2003, Nova Southeastern University’s Rowing Program has had head coach John Gartin at the helm. Entering his eighth season, Gartin has guided the program to success at the conference, regional and national levels. Under Gartin’s tutelage, NSU claimed the 2009 NCAA Varsity 4 National Championship. Additionally, the Sharks have won three straight Sunshine State Conference team championships from 2007 to 2009 and earned six bids to the NCAA Division II National Championships in the programs first seven season. Additionally, at least one Shark has garnered Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (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), Katrina Bonilla (2005) and Jennifer Rembe (2004).

The 2010 Sharks began the fall season at the First Coast Head Race finishing with three runner-up finishes, and one fifth place finish. In the final race of the fall season, the FIRA Fall Classic, the team was able to rattle off two third place finishes. The boats stayed dry until they hit the water again in March for the Rollins Spring Break Race. NSU captured its first win of the year while also earning three more victories during the event. The Sharks also finished runner-up in two events and one third place finish. In the Governors Cup the varsity four oars splashed through the waters capturing three victories. The team tallied a total of six wins in the event while also totaling two second place finishes and a third place finish. The Division II Duals proved to be the best showing for the Sharks, winning all eight races that they entered. On April 3, NSU dualed against Barry in the annual Barry/NSU dual race. NSU toppled the Buccaneers, winning two races to one. The FIRA Championships proved to be a highlight for the Sharks as they finished second in their division and third overall, tallying two first, second and third place victories. The Sharks were able to rattle off two more wins at the SIRA Championships before entering into the SSC Championships on April 24, 2010. In the SSC Championship the Sharks finished third overall and captured two victories. The Sharks ended out the year racing at the Alberdean Dad Vail Regatta in May with the Varsity Four winning the title. 

In 2009, NSU reached new heights. The 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, NSU 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.

Gartin has also produced four CRCA All-Americans (Collegiate Rowing Coaches Assoc), with Nicole Felluca (2007), Cheyenne Poskey (2006, 2007), Katrena Bonilla (2005) and Jen Rembe (2004) each garnering the prestigious honor over the programs first four seasons. 

The 2007 Sharks accomplished several major goals including finishing fourth at the 2007 NCAA Championships in Oak Ridge, TN with both the V8+ and V4+ reaching the grand final for the first time in the program's history. The team also captured the Florida Intercollegiate Rowing Association Varsity 8+ Championship and won the 2007 Sunshine State Conference Team Championship with victories in both the V8+ and V4+. The 2007 team also produced six All-Conference and two All-Freshman rowers as well as the Boat of the Year, the V8+, and Conference Rower of the Year, Nicole Felluca. 

Under Gartin's watchful eye, the Sharks have set new program and national records becoming the only crew ever to reach the NCAA Division II Women's Rowing National Championships in their first four seasons of competition. 

The 2006 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, NJ. The 2006 Sharks also had an undefeated season in the lightweight 4+, captured the SSC Championship in the V4+ and won the Lyden cup in the V8+ race at the Rollins Invitational. 

In 2005, 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-member crew, the Sharks started off the season with an impressive showing at the Stetson Sprints as three of the four NSU crews won their events. For the season, the Varsity 8+ crew captured five first-place finishes and three second-place finishes, while the Varsity 4+ notched six first-place and two second-place finishes. 

After the Varsity 8+ crew captured first place at the Sunshine State Conference Championships, NSU continued with the momentum, finishing third at the Dad Vails Regatta in Philadelphia, Penn. 

Accepting its second invitation in as many years, Gartin and his crew headed to Sacramento, Calif. to take part in the 2005 NCAA DII Women's Rowing National Championships. The Sharks finished with 11 team points as the Varsity 4+ placed fourth and the Varsity 8+ finished second behind National Champions Western Washington to give the NSU women's rowing team their highest finish at nationals. 

During its inaugural season, 2003-04, the women's rowing team achieved a victory in the Varsity 8+ Petite Final, earning them a fifth-place finish in 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, he led his crew to several championships, including first-place finishes at 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 University, the head rowing instructor at the Mission Bay Aquatic Center and the men's head coach of the San Diego State University men's rowing club. Gartin also has been an adjunct faculty member specializing in human and physical geography at California State University-San Marcos, Palomar College, and Cuyamaca College. 

Gartin holds a Level III Coach Certification from the United States Rowing Association. He is also lifeguard, CPR and first-aid certified by the American Red Cross. 

Gartin holds a Bachelor of Science in Geography from Old Dominion University and a Master of Arts in Geography from the University of South Carolina. A Norfolk, Virginia native, Gartin competed as a member of the ODU rowing club while at the university.