To Cox or not to Cox

Question
QUESTION: I'm a 15 year old girl, a Sophomore in High School this year and am 5 foot 3 inches. I've completed one year of rowing so far. When I finished the season as a lightweight, I weighed about 120 and had a 2k Erg score of 2:04.9. My average weight not hovers around 125.

What I'm here to ask is how I should begin to approach college rowing. I know that, since I will not be growing any more, my height will hold be back from any scholarships/scouting attention. I have not yet asked my coaches to put me in a coxswain position, but since my 2:04.9 was the best Erg score of any lightweight on our team, Varsity included even though I was only a Novice, I feel that they won't put that number in a coxin seat. I will ask them, but how do you suggest I proceed gaining coxing experience if they refuse? And how should I gain the attention of college scouts for a coxswain position?

Also: What is the weight of an average college woman's cox? Is my size better for a coxing a men's team?

Thank you!

~Allie~

ANSWER: Hi Allie: Your time is really too good to even think about being a cox.  For lightweight women your age, you are in the Top-15% for the 2K.  Why would you consider being a coxswain, when you are better than most of the rowers in your boat?

I think you are making an assumption that you will not grow any more.  That may not be the case, you could gain an inch or two.  While you might be undersized to make an elite heavyweight crew, you could row bow seat in a very good lightweight boat.

If anything, your window of opportunity for being a college coxswain may be more shut than as a rower.  Coxswains your age already have dozens of races under their belt and may be 10-20 pounds lighter than you.  

Don't lose sleep over getting a rowing scholarship.  What you want is an academic scholarship, which will be more likely based on your extracurricular participation in crew.

Good Luck/AP

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you very much. Your answer is helpful. My only question left is one that I am just still curious about, as I cannot find the answer anywhere:

What is the weight of the average college cox?

Thank you again for your time and expertise!

~Allie~

Answer
Hi Again, Allie: I've raced in boats with coxswains who ranged from 90 pounds to 140 pounds.  Height is variable too; however, height is not as big a factor as weight.  

For men's crews, there is a mandatory minimum for coxswains.  I think it is 120 pounds for USRA sanctioned races and its 125 for the Intercollegiate Rowing Association.  So if a coxswain is under the weight, they add weight just like they do with jockeys.  There is a similar criteria for women's races (think it is around 110).

Coaches prefer to have coxswains as close to the minimum as possible.  But they will consider a heavier coxswain if she/he has experience and talent.

Hope That Helps/AP