BERKELEY - On the water, Maarten Hurkmans' Cal career has started in storybook fashion. As a freshman, he was a member of the Golden Bears' Varsity eight that won the IRA National Championship and won a U23 World Championship in the eight for his home country of the Netherlands later that same summer. Now a sophomore, Hurkmans has carried that success over to the classroom.

In January, Hurkmans learned he had been accepted into the Haas School of Business, the second-ranked undergraduate business school in the nation according to U.S. News and World Report.

"Getting into Haas was definitely a great feeling," Hurkmans said. "I'm very interested in economics and business, and wanted to be part of the great legacy of excellence within the school. I love working in teams and organizations like I do with rowing, and want to extend that into my future career."

A native of Amersfoort in the Netherlands, Hurkmans' success in Berkeley has not come without its challenges.  While adjusting to the American schooling system and culture, Hurkmans has had to learn to balance a rigorous course load with an intense training schedule.

"My biggest challenge at Cal has definitely been juggling academics, rowing, and rest," said Hurkmans. "Our team trains very hard all year round. To follow along in demanding courses and perform every day on the water is hard, while also trying to get the rest I need to do these things."

But like most of Cal's student-athletes, Hurkmans has used the resources at his disposal to hone his time management skills. He also credits his coaches and teammates for creating a culture of excellence.

"Our coaches, although focused on rowing, truly want us to do well in school and set a great example," Hurkmans emphasized. "The team is very focused on rowing and on our classes, and everybody supports each other."

Though only a sophomore, associate head coach Scott Frandsen, an IRA Champion at Cal and graduate of the Haas School of Business himself, recognizes the impact Hurkmans has already had on the program.

"Maarten is one of those student-athletes that you don't have to worry about," Frandsen explained. "He is self-motivated with his academics and with his training. He provides the example for others on the team to follow and raises the level of our team in all aspects."

Hurkmans and the Cal men's rowing team will kick off the spring campaign this weekend at the San Diego Crew Classic in Mission Bay. The Bears are looking to defend their IRA National title in the varsity eight and overall team points trophy, and the Crew Classic will be the first chance to test their speed against the competition.

For updates and information on the team throughout the year, follow the Bears on Twitter (@CaliforniaCrew), Instagram (@CalCrew), and Facebook (Facebook.com/theFOCC).