Recruiting Standards for Lightweight Rowing

<p>Hello everyone,</p>

<p>I just began my junior year in high school and row 4 seasons of the year, which I started my sophomore fall. I am currently 5'10" 152, with likeliness to grow another inch or two. I want to row at top tier colleges, specifically Ivy League because I live in Boston. What is the benchmark 2k and 6k erg score that I should have to give me a sufficient chance at recruitment when I have As and Bs for grades in mostly honors classes (3.7 GPA unweighted) at a competitive private high school. I am currently the stroke on my club's 1st varsity 8+ boat, and would definitely say I move the boat very well considering this is my first season eligible to row on varsity and I am a lightweight that made the 1V, which is usually all heavyweights.
I am also the editor-in-Cheif of my school newspaper, and have a great amount of volunteer hours, which could add to my r</p>

<p>Do well on your SAT 1 and 2 tests. They say shoot for 2100, or average of 700 on each part of SAT 1, and over 700 on each of 2 SAT 2s. There is some wiggle room here, but not much. If you opt for the ACT, a 32 is sweet, but a 31 with other strong aspects should be ok. Your UW GPA is in range, better at 3.8, but 3.7 is not a dealkiller. Have you taken honors and AP courses? Admissions wants to see rigor in your curriculum this year and next year. </p>

<p>Your 2K test must be below 6:40 to start the conversation and you should be showing continual improvement since you started rowing. Do you have good race results to discuss? HOCR?, Regionals?
You are lucky to be in Boston. You can go over and meet with the coaches and get this info right from them. They are helpful and interested in all potential recruits.</p>

<p>First all, I want to say that I’m happy that you’re so passionate about rowing. My daughter also dearly loves crew and it is a great sport.</p>

<p>A couple of observations:</p>

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<p>An odd, buy typical teenage, thing to say.
You may want to reevaluate your desires, interests and situation.</p>

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<p>The purpose of the stroke is to have a great smooth technique and to keep an even pace. Not to “move the boat.” And, last time I checked, there are seven other rowers in an 8 moving the boat. ;)</p>

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<p>As has already been said, great SAT scores (and better grades).</p>

<p>By the way, since you are so enamored of Harvard Crew, there was a great 60 Minutes Sports segment on the late Harvard coach. It is available to view online if you have Showtime.</p>

<p>Welcome, Kyle! My son is a senior and has committed to row LW for an Ivy next year, so I hope I can help. I agree with Rowmom- sub 6:40 is the goal. The closer you can get to the mid-to-low 6:30’s by next summer, the better position you will be in. My son started emailing coaches and filling out recruiting forms in late winter of his Junior year. I respectfully disagree with GolfFather… I don’t think what you said about rowing Ivy was odd. My son watched his older teammates get recruited year after year to Ivy League schools- it was something to shoot for and a great opportunity- if it worked out. Being in North East you are surrounded by Ivy schools and their storied rowing tradition. And of course it is possible to be stroke and move the boat well. One can possess good technique, timing and be powerful. Consider emailing Linda Muri (Harvard LW Frosh coach) in early Spring, or even around the Crash B-s if you are competing. It’s a good time to introduce yourself. Good luck and don’t hesitate to follow up with questions.</p>

<p>Another update: I just took a 6k test yesterday for watts/lb evaluation and I came in first place with a 1.64 watts/lb out of my team of 20 varsity athletes</p>

<p>Good job Kyle! Coaches like to see a good power to weight ratio.</p>