college rowing

Question
Hi!
 I am a junior(girl) in highschool and was wondering about 2k times. I would love to row in college, but have no idea where to start. Currently I weigh 135-45lb ,5ft 10in tall,and pull an average 2k score of 8:10. I know I should be sub 8, but would love to know an average time for collegiate women to strive for.
 Thank You so Much!

Answer
The time that you will need to pull will be dependent on whether you are going to row lightweight or open weight.  The weight limit for lightweight girls in college is 135lbs  in the fall and 130lbs in the spring.  If you are currently at 135, you will light enough to do lightweight in the fall and will be able to cut weight prior to regattas in order to make lightweight in the spring.  The problem, though, is that since you are still in high school your body should still naturally be adding a little height and weight as you grow over the next year and a half.  This may force you to have to try out for open weight.  If you do, that is completely fine.  5'10" is probably a little too tall for a lightweight woman anyways, and the added weight will actually help your erg time drop a bit.

As for the erg times that you would need, I would suggest that you try to break into the top 25% of rowers in your age and weight group in order to have the opportunity for a scholarship to a decent program.  For lightweight women last year, that time was a 7:58.  For open weight women, that number was a 7:40.  I hoped that this helped.  Good luck!