Hi,
I’m a 13 year old (8th grade) who will be going to NJ for high school. I’m just looking for advice on college rowing recruiting- though it’s a little early.
I have always been a straight A+ student, I was a semi-finalist in the national middle school science fair last year, am on student council and my school math team. I plan to maintain a good GPA in high school, participate in Science Fairs like Regeneron STS & Intel ISEF, be on the school math team, and be on student council. I will be taking Pre- Calc in 9nth grade. I also row.
As per rowing, I am 100 pounds and 5 feet 4.5 inches as of now. I started rowing about 3 months ago and plan to take it through high school. I am not sure if I should be a coxswain or rower though. Right now my erg times are not great (2:30 for a 2k). However, I have only rowed a 2k once and I know I could have done better if I really pushed myself. I am willing to put in time, effort, and money to get better.
Right now, I am wondering: Can I get recruited as a coxswain? Will my grades/academics give me a boost since I know coxswains are now recruited as much as rowers. If I choose to row versus cox- can I still change my times by a lot. On the other hand, instead of focusing on erg times can I improve my technique on water in order to become a better rower?
I am not looking for a full scholarship. Just an admission is good enough
Thanks for reading and giving your opinion in advance!
It is way too early to think about specific colleges (especially the hyper-competitive ones such as the Ivy schools). You don’t any HS GPA and you have zero standardized testing. You have just started rowing and nobody can project if/how you will progress in the sport.
It is good to take school seriously and know that college will be on your horizon, but it is WAY too early to start planning for any specific colleges or group of colleges. I would highly recommend that you get off of CC until your junior year.
As you begin HS you should focus on:
–Working hard, learning, and doing as well as you can in the most challenging curriculum you can manage.
–When the time comes study for standardized tests.
–Continue your involvement in activities you care about and work towards making meaningful contributions to those activities.
–Enjoying spending time with your family and friends.
Have you gone through puberty yet? Reached your maximum height? Even if you have, you will probably put on some pounds throughout high school.
I agree it is early. Focus on doing your best academically which will keep as many doors open as possible. Get involved in other ways at your school as well.
Thanks for your responses!
I haven’t grown much in the last year…
I have already started prepping for the SAT’s and will be taking them in June of this year since colleges don’t see SAT scored taken before high school.
A rowing question: Can I win regattas and races with great technique and mediocre erg times? My erg times aren’t that great- but I am willing to work on my technique.
In regards to recruitment, do coxswains get recruited?
My comments went bye-bye when this thread just got merged but I would gather a 2:30 is actually a 500m time. My daughter is the same age, very small at 4’10", and weighs the same. She’s been rowing about a year and can erg a 9 minute 2k which would be a 2:15 500m split. She is probably headed for the coxswain seat as she will not hit 5’. I’m new to it and cannot get under 10 minutes – 50 yo female and just a tad shorter than you.
Thanks for your suggestions and comments! I will try to implement them.
Out of curiosity:
Can I win regattas and races with great technique and mediocre erg times? My erg times aren’t that great- but I am willing to work on them and my technique. Once I finish erg pieces- I always feel like I could have pushed myself more- that is something I will definitely work on.
In regards to recruitment, do coxswains get recruited?
The guy I know who was recruited to an Ivy college for rowing was a great athlete, worked incredibly hard at it, won/placed in some national competitions, and represented the US in international crew meets… I think one would need to be an absolutely outstanding rower to be actively recruited by Ivy level schools. Not sure if they recruit coxswains. The woman I know who was a coxswain at an Ivy school years ago was not recruited (I believe she walked on).
Anyway, you are in 8th grade and have been involved in crew for 3 months. This is all ridiculously premature. Keep working at it and see how you progress.
Getting into Ivy from BCA without a hook is very difficult because competition is fierce. It may be even more difficult to be a D1 caliber athlete while getting good grades there. On the positive side you will get a very good education that will serve you well in whatever college you end up attending.
Thanks for your comments guys! They really cleared up some of my doubts, In response to what Tanbiko, said: How does that work? I was guessing it would be an advantage to go to BCA since they are a magnet high school… Not that I have proof.
Are you likely to stay 5’4" and 100 pounds? If so, your chances will be very different than if you play to get to 5’8" and 150. A few teams have lightweights, or give scholarships to coxswains, but they need a lot more tall rowers than smaller ones.
I would encourage you to talk to your rowing coach. Winning medals and such is great but rowing is typically a team sport so there are a lot of factors like who else is in the boat. Your coach will also have some insight on where they see you in the next few years - rower or coxswain. You have some good advice here - enjoy high school, study hard, get involved. Good luck.
Thanks guys! This really cleared up my questions. I appreciate your insight. I will probably be maximum 5 foot 6 inches and max 120 pounds. I haven’t grown much in the last year.
Also, for all the rowers, how do you guys push yourself during a 2k test, or any erg piece for that matter? Do you have a motivational phrase you repeat or a slogan that you keep saying? Whenever I finish an erg piece, I always feel like I could have done better…
Thanks in advance!
One more follow up question: What do colleges look at for rowing recruiting? Trophies? Medals? Erg times? Coach’s Recommendations? Technique? Which ones are prioritized?
What do they look at for coxswains? Wins?
Hi. Congrats on choosing a wonderful sport. Row because you love it not because you want to be recruited. It’s a huge time commitment. That being said, if you continue and put in a full year of novice, including a winter training, you’ll have a pretty good idea where you stand on potential as a recruit by the end of your HS freshman year. As for coxing, being on the best club you can manage with top coaches and rowers will help.
Thanks for your reponse @tarrydad I row in NJ. I don’t know if you have heard of him- but he is pretty well reputed. Our crew does pretty well overall and has great equipment. I’m guessing a coxswain wins are dependant on the rowers… what would you say my overall chances are at being a successful cox?
-Female
-5 feet 4.5 inches
-100 pounds
-16 percent body fat
@kanna254 The mom in me thinks you are giving out too much identifying info. You can still edit your post now or you can contact a moderator if editing time has expired to fix it.
