rowing USA colleges

Question
hi there,
I am Brazilian, I have been rowing for 3 years now, I am a lightweight 157lb and 5'7, I have 6:43 on my 2k erg, I have been competing seriously this last year, in which I got 2 gold medals, competing in the stroke of a novice coxed four and bow of a novice coxed four. Also, 3rd place on the novice single scull ,2nd place on U23 coxless four (stroke), 3rd on a lightweight coxless four, 6th place in the national championship on the 8 with our novice crew. I am going into college, wanted to know if I can get a shot at some scholarship and what are the best lightweight friendly universities I should be looking for.

thanks

Answer
Hi Bernardo: You got a lot in your favor.  Your erg score is in the Top-25% for lightweights your age and you have both on-water experience and (more importantly) in-water success.  Your height might be a bit liability, but you can bow on 99% of the crews with your skills.

If you want to row in a U.S. school, you will need to provide your high school grades and take a test called the Scholastic Aptitude Test.  Unlike American football, it's not as easy to get into a good college without the good grades as a rower.

Of course all of your Ivy League schools, Stanford, U. of Washington, and Wisconsin have strong lightweight programs.  There are also some smaller programs, like Georgetown, Delaware, and St. Joseph's (in Philadelphia) which are very successful.  I recommend you choose a college in a major crew city like Boston and Philadelphia.  That way, you can row with one of many crew clubs in the summer.

Good Luck/AP