Womens Lightweight Programs

Question
Hi there.  My daughter began rowing last year as an 8th grader (14 yrs old) in a strong local club program.  She is 5'8, 118 lbs. and has pulled high 8:30s in the 2k erg. She loves the sport so far and has a desire to row in college.  We were wondering, do most colleges have women's lightweight programs? At her size should she be focusing on lightweight?

Answer
Hi Dewey: Unlike Men's college rowing, women's colleges don't offer as many lightweight programs.  There are some good programs, such as the following:

1. Wisconsin
2. Princeton (any Ivy League school for that matter)
3. Stanford
4. Georgetown
5. Radcliffe
6. Central Florida
7. Bucknell
8. MIT
9. California
9. Ohio State
10. Pittsburgh
11. Georgetown

While she is a lightweight now, she will undoubtedly grow during high school.  She might even weigh over 135 by college and become a heavyweight.  That shouldn't be a problem since she is fairly tall.  Let nature decide if she will row lightweight or heavyweight.

Regards/AP