I was wondering what the average crew recruitment times are for Andover, Exeter and other top prep schools. I am a 4.0 student and I row as a novice in the 8th grade. That means I only have a couple months to race my erg
times. Right now my best split ever was 1:27, yet I only held it for one stroke. I got 4:01 on my 1000m last year, but I grew a bit over the summer so I
should be able to break 4 minutes. Is this good enough?(I know it’s probably not) and how much better must I be to have a shot. I don’t want to email the coach until I’m in the ball park of what he wants.
I could be wrong but I don’t think they “recruit” novice rowers. For seniors/PG or at least 11th grade, there may be ones recruited for crew, but if it ever happens it’s very rare that a new 9th grader is recruited for crew.
Do you currently row with a middle school team or club? If so, will you be racing this Fall? At your age you can balance an unremarkable 2K with a little technical experience and enthusiasm to get noticed but not recruited. Sometimes a good novice rowing resume is more about the love you have for the sport and what you’d like to accomplish in the future.
To give you an idea- both my boys applied to SS ( 10th grade ) and were recruited . Both were/ are amazing students. Both had competed at Crash B’s ( after BS apps ) and regattas like Club Nationals and Royal Canadian Henley ( 8th grade summer and 9th grade- after apps). They were logging in six hours a day five days a week training at the BH and on the water during the summer before BS apps since the 7th grade. During the school year they trained and played other sports that complemented their sport. My youngest son was able to race and train year round while he was at his BS ( with special permission from the BS AD )… which is rare. He was recruited for college rowing and he’s fighting for a seat right now.
It doesn’t get easier… at any level.
They had racing experience in 1X, 2X, 4+, 4X and 8s. Both own their own singles ( since 7th grade ) and applied to SS with sub 6:30 2Ks. My SD applied to BS for 10th with a 7:40 and now races in a rock star college 8 . All three row in college- although K1 took some time time off last year . Nowadays, there are a lot of kids applying to BS with similar rowing resumes/stats because this sport has exploded but don’t let that discourage you… work hard and keep going!
If you have an opportunity to race in a novice boat this fall- go for it. Fall racing will be over before BS apps are due and it will add some depth and a little experience to your resume. Talk to your MS/Club coach (if you have one) and ask him/her to help you lower your 2K and tell him/her that you’ll be applying to BS. Put the Club/ Program and name of the coach on the online athlete inquiry form and/ or app and perhaps he/she can tell the BS coach that you’re the type of kid who will work hard and add something to their program. Ask to meet with the BS coach when you set up your tour/interview and express interest. Even if you’re not a recruit there’s nothing wrong with expressing interest and asking questions about the program.
Look- Rowing is a really tough sport. In my book you get bonus points for even wanting to do this.
I would also suggest that you branch out and look at other schools with rowing programs. There are many fine boarding schools out there with awesome rowing programs. All of them will offer you an amazing BS experience.
I actually met him (and his parents) at SPS visit back day years ago. He ended up at Lawrenceville, apparently never having put an oar into water…but his erg/CrashB showings and overall physique were no doubt extremely attractive to the coaches at both L-ville and SPS (and wherever else he was accepted to BS).
Obviously O’Rourke is an outlier…but I bring him up to illustrate once again, the sort of kids prospective applicants are up against when applying to selective BSs. Think you’re good at X? Chances are there’s someone better, with similar grades and scores, etc.
You will never know what the coach thinks until you make contact. This is not NCAA recruiting, so boarding school coaches have some flexibility in the process. The TSAO schools have a policy prohibits coaches from initiating contact (the student must do so instead). Most of these schools don’t have full time dedicated coaches (they almost always have other teaching/house duties as well). So they are quite busy, so don’t expect to hear back from them immediately.
But you might try several different methods of communication (email, phone, letter, etc). Drop by the coaches office during your interview day. Be persistent but don’t be annoying. If the coach is interested you will hear back. I know of several examples of students that were accepted into top boarding schools despite weaker academics because of strong athletics.
I’m not that familiar with crew, but it sounds like from what @photographermom wrote you might have a tough time making the team. If you aren’t strong enough to make the varsity team by 10th grade, then chances are the coach won’t be interested. There are exceptions of course. Good luck
