College Walk-Ons

Question
Hello Mr. Pepper.

I am a 5'9, 148lb high school senior with 4 years of rowing experience. I am also the captain of my school's crew team. I was recently accepted to Yale university and would like to try out for their lightweight men's rowing team. My best 2k score so far is a 7:14. How much lower should I get my erg score between now and tryouts? Also, do they cut rowers in college teams or just keep them from rowing in races if they don't measure up?

Answer
Hi Philip: Congratulations on getting accepted to Yale.  I am fully aware of the demanding admission standards of getting into that schools; so you must be quite a student.

For a 16-to-18 year old lightweight, a 7:14 is an average time and 7:10 is the median time among the 600 rowers who posted times on the Concept II Database.  While many factors determine who makes Varsity, I would estimate that you would need a 2K of 6:55 or better to be considered a candidate for Varsity Freshmen Lightweight.  Of course you will want to work out over the summer to lower your time.  You should try to gain 5 to 7 pounds of muscle, which will definitely improve your time.  You also want to maybe do some summer rowing with a local club to stay sharp when fall practice at Yale rolls around.  

Nearly all college crews do not cut even novices because coaches need candidates to fill 2nd and 3rd Freshman boats, JV boats, Fours and even Pairs.  A typical Men's Ivy League crew can have as 20-30 different boats that race in regattas.  I have seen people get cut from crews, but that had nothing to do with ability.  They were let go for bad attitude, missing too many practices, etc.

I'd say you have an excellent shot at making Varsity Freshman Lightweight Eight.

Good Luck/AP