Penn women rowing/camp

<p>My daughter has a "height issue". She is only 5'7". But every rowing coach who has had her on a boat is amazed by the power she posesses. Her 2k erg last year was just under 7:40. She's medalled at SRAA's, Stotesbury. Because she swims for her hs team in winter, she doesn't erg a lot, but hopes to break 7:30 this yr. She is also #5 in her class with a 4.0 - all AP and Honors classes. She is a junior and will sit for SAT's next weekend. She has always loved Penn. She wrote the crew coach and hasn't gotten any response except for the rowing camps they offer in fall or summer. So she wants me to sign her up for the fall one while she is in rowing shape. Im trying to convince her to wait for SAT results to see if she has the scores, since I don't think he is really interested . Anyone ever use Penn's rowing camp to get discovered by their staff? Ive seen discussion about some of the US rowing development and ID camps, but was wondering specifically the Penn camp.We have had some interest from other D 1-3 schools - which she is keeping in touch with. Thanks.</p>

<p>Summer rowing camps at colleges (if well run) can be a lot of fun.
My D attended one and loved it.</p>

<p>However, IMHO, unless someone is a national level superstar, there is very little if any “recruiting” or being “discovered” going on at these summer college rowing camps.</p>

<p>Here are three most important things about Div I rowing recruiting: the ERG score, the Erg score and the ERG score.</p>

<p>7:40 is a very fine time. (I’m assuming your daughter is Open Weight and not LW.) But it is not a time that is going to get top program coaches (like U-Va) very excited. Sorry, it just won’t. Can a women with a 7:40 row in Div I? Yes! But she is not going to be in the No. 1 8 boat at U-VA or Princeton, etc.</p>

<p>As far as your daughter’s height goes, that’s a touchy issue. My advice: she can’t do anything about it, so don’t worry about it. Again, it’s all about the ERG … and technique. Good luck!</p>

<p>I agree w/ GF’s comments. For what it’s worth, we were told by Yale and UVA that they do not use their camps for recruiting. Perhaps it’s different for Penn. Want to get a response from Penn, have your daughter improve her ERG score to sub-7:30.</p>

<p>Thanks for the info…Will give her some extra motivation to get on the erg.</p>

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<p>Oh, yeah, forgot to mention about that. There are others here with more knowledge than me about the ID camps but I’ll throw in my two cents.</p>

<p>My daughter attended the mid-Atlantic ID camp two years ago. There were a huge number of rowers there and just a few coaches. Very hard to be discovered in such a large crowd. What they’re looking for are rowers to compete on the national level. Each girl signs in and posts their best ERG scores and they also test on the ERGs while there. Yes, if someone posts a 6:50 2k, the USR reps are going to go “whoa.” But there is AFAIK no college recruiting going on.</p>

<p>Here is the general advice:</p>

<p>• Do the best one can on the Erg and in the boat.
• Be realistic about where one would fit in talent-wise.
• Select schools one is interested in based on academics, fit, etc., not solely based on the crew team.
• Think seriously if Div I rowing is really what one wants to commit to.
• Consider Div III or Club programs.
• Create an account on one (or more) of recruiting web sites.
• Contact coaches (around Spring of Junior year) but understand that that is the coach’s busiest time of the year.</p>