To anyone who rows at Wesleyan....

<p>I met with the coach several weeks ago and came away with a really good overall impression of the program: great coaching staff, nice facilities, and the potential to go to some really huge races. I plan to go and spend a day with a student (hopefully one who rows) and then attend a practice, but before that can anyone tell me about the guys who row at Wesleyan and what the team is like.</p>

<p>does anyone know if the crew team practices in the afternoons or mornings?</p>

<p>i can answer that!!! When i met with the coach, he basically said there is no structured morning practice, but a lot of guys erg or take a pair out, there are afternoon practices everyday except Fridays before a race there are just general workouts, also, the NESCAC conferance does not allow organized winter practices so it is really left to your own level of motivation, how much u want to work out and prepare for the spring season during the winter months (for some1 like me, just as much practice or more during the winter as throughout the whole year, but some1 else might want to tone it down a bit and try other things, both are perfectly acceptable at wesleyan crew!)</p>

<p>but back to the main question here...</p>

<p>The crew team is one of the most well-liked teams on campus. I know some awesome dudes from the team (including one of my best friends). They also tend to have meals together a lot of the time (or at least, they used to in MoCon) and seem pretty close to each other. It's a lot of work, but the people I know on say it's been well worth it.</p>

<p>What are your erg scorces? How tall are you? Have you rowed throughout high school? Gone to the Nationals? Captain of your team? These are the type of guys who are on the squad.</p>

<p>my 2k is about 6:53 6k 22:30, im 5'8 162 lbs, have rowed since sophomore year, been to regionals, not nationals (club doesnt send too many boats to nationals, especially in the past couple years)</p>

<p>what about the womens team?!
:)
im interested in coxing there</p>

<p>you could cox for the guys team too you know....</p>

<p>I checked the Wes crew roster , which lists height and weight, the shortest crew member is 6 feet tall and two are 6'7 and so I believe that at 5'8 , you would not be considered competitive. Height matters in rowing and Wes ranks very high at regattas.</p>

<p>height does matter but only to an extent. being taller gives you a longer stroke but being light is helpful too. you should check your height and weight adjusted erg scores online somewhere and see how you compare.</p>

<p>rma32 is right, there have been strokes for Harvard, arguably the producer of the best American crews, who have been shorter than me. Same at Oxford and Cambridge. Also the bowman in the Olympic 8 in 2004 was 5'8" or shorter and I believe a couple guys in the Olympic 8 this year who were under 6 foot. I don't completely disagree with you mamamax, those who are taller defitnally have the advantage when it somes to rowing, but only if they use it in their favor, which honestly, not as many as you would think do or can. Overall, I think erg scores are the most important thing; If there is a guy who is 6'7" pulls a 6:28 2k and a guy who is 5'8" and pulls a 6:15, who are you going to want??</p>

<p>The guy who is 6'7". Sorry. A coach would think he could correct his form and get better results from him.</p>

<p>I'm not talking about form although that is a rather essential part of rowing, I'm talking about mentally and physically being able to improve. Some athletes sort of plateau when they reach a certain point and no matter how hard they work, don't really improve a significant amount. As much as rowing is a physical sport, the mental side of it is HUGE. If an athlete doesn't have the mental endurance to with stand bad thoughts/pain, then they will not be as productive, despite their physical ability or amount of talent. I do realize that as someone who is 5'8" I am naturally at a disadvantage, but it kinda runs in my family: My father and grandfather were both rather short and still rowed for big name colleges in a time when size was considered even more essential than it is today to produce a winning boat. And I checked Wesleyan's site and there is a guy who is 5'8" on the team.</p>

<p>Did the coach give you any indication of whether or not he could help you with admissions?</p>

<p>srsly though, who the hell cares?</p>

<p>classicalguitar, the person who asked the question cares.
I'd suggest arranging to visit WEsleyan for an overnight and making sure you get out on the river to row with the squad so you can show your true grit. More power to you.</p>

<p>does the question of whether he'll make the team have to be settled before he even applies? Is he going to have to row for every college he applies to? Just wondering. :/</p>

<p>yea i already visited with the coach and have a overnight stay scheduled, although i can only go out on the launch, I cant actually row with the crew, ummm for me I want to row in college because I love rowing and want to take it to the next level. Plus my father rowed in college, grandfather rowed in college/us national team, great grandfather rowed in the schukyll navy, so its kinda a legacy in my family that is my repsonsibility to continue...</p>

<p>Are you related to the Kellys? You can PM me.</p>