Possible to get recruited for a sport I've never played?

Hey guys, I know I'm bringing up a really old post but I had a couple of questions. I am on a varsity rowing team that came in 2nd place at nationals and the team has had athletes invited onto the national team. My coaches are both national champions in college and many kids on my team get recruited every year. I was wondering if anyone knows about what erg splits are needed to look pretty competitive for a lightweight. Also, does anybody know if navy recruits for lightweight rowing and not just heavyweight?
 
Yes, they recruit for lightweight and heavyweight crew. They have a new lightweight assistant coach this year, James Sands. Usually the assistant coach handles freshman recruiting. The head lightweight coach is Shawn Bagnall. You can find their contact information on Navysports.com, or you can ask your BGO to help make an introduction.

I'm not sure if you mentioned it in your question, but if you are hoping to be recruited for the class of 2020, my guess is that they have already identified their recruits.

As for erg splits, I wouldn't venture a guess. You should generally know what a top lightweight rower pulls, particularly if you have classmates already being recruited. I'm a BGO, and we're actually not permitted to discuss athletic performance.
 
As mentioned go to the Navy sports website. There is a place to fill out a candidate info sheet with your athletic info. The coaches get these. Trust me, if you have times that catch their attention, they will reach out. Wouldn't hurt to email them as a follow up with a short introduction. Crew starts out with huge teams, recruits and walk ons. It slowly dwindles. With your experience it sounds like you will have a leg up.
 
Thanks suddensam and NavyHoops! I am only a junior now so I might wait a couple of months to submit my erg scores to the academy.
 
Thanks suddensam and NavyHoops! I am only a junior now so I might wait a couple of months to submit my erg scores to the academy.

You're welcome. Since you are a junior, remember that your application period begins in late January, when the Summer Seminar application opens. Be sure to indicate your interest in crew. If you are designated an official candidate, ask your BGO to help facilitate an introduction to the coaches, or make your own plans to visit with them if you are selected for summer seminar.
 
My DS is a current plebe and was a walk-on to the LW crew this year. Having never rowed before, he was not a recruited athlete. However, he did get a letter from the coach prior to I-Day that said something like "based on your height and weight, you look like a good candidate for the crew team. If you're interested, come to the informational meeting during Plebe Summer."
 
Work on your 2K scores. USNA crew camp was amazing (they take novice.) The coaching (i.e. Fred Borchelt Olympic silver medalist) and attention to form and technique was extremely helpful. They helped my DS put together a "crew resume" to send out to coaches. The rowers with 2k scores under 6:45 are particularly attractive. DS is continuously trying to PR his 2K score going into his last HS spring season. Good luck
 
Work on your 2K scores. USNA crew camp was amazing (they take novice.) The coaching (i.e. Fred Borchelt Olympic silver medalist) and attention to form and technique was extremely helpful. They helped my DS put together a "crew resume" to send out to coaches. The rowers with 2k scores under 6:45 are particularly attractive. DS is continuously trying to PR his 2K score going into his last HS spring season. Good luck


Hello,

I just have a couple quick questions about crew at the Academy. Right now I'm a lightweight and I'm talking to the lightweight crew coach. Do you know by chance what 2k makes a recruit "stand out"? Right now as a lightweight, my 2k is a 6:45. I am just wondering if you know which scores will help me stand out to the coaches at the Academy. Thanks.
 
If you are talking to the coach ask him. Ask him for target erg times to strive for.
 
I'm a recruited lightweight for the C/O 2020. Defiantly stay in contact with Coach Bagnall; he is really helpful with any questions that you might have. As for erg splits, they are similar to national cut lines for lightweight rowers. I know that 6:45 is really good but 6:40 is a better time to aim for...keep pushing. There is also a weight factor in that, if you're around 145-150 and pulling that time it's great but if you're closer to the 157-160 mark you would defiantly want to get those times into the 6:30's. Good luck in the spring season and at nationals.
 
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