Erg scores and V-boat

Question
So I have this problem with my size that is holding me back from being in the v-boat. Infact I am considered the perfect size to be a coxswain but I don't want to be one. I am 5'6 and 110 and I have been rowing for a full year. I had to fight my coaches off my back from putting me in the cox seat. Last year I rowed in the jv boat as bow. This year I plan on being the bow of the v-boat...I am the bow of the v-boat for fall season but when spring season comes around I am afraid I might be kicked out because people much larger than me will come back. So I try to have the best technique and my coaches say there is nothing wrong with it. The only thing I am looking for to improve now are my erg scores. Right now my best 500 is 1:57.7 my best 2k is a 8:32.4 and my best 6k is a 28:08.5. I am not proud of my ergscores but everyone on my team says they are great. I feel like I can do so much better and I want to be able to pull more than the girls who are 40 pounds heavier than me. Is it possible for me to improve my ergscores. (for instance is it possible for someone my size to pull a 7:50 2k and a 1:45 500?)

Answer
Hi Emily: Per the Concept II database, compared to lightweight women your age, your 2k erg scores are in the middle of the pack.  The median (middle time out of 245 girls) is 8:25.  I suggest that be the time you short for by over the next 3 months.  That's within your capability.

I have no way of knowing what the best time is for a 110 pound rower is.  I imagine there may be a few shorter women @ 110 who pulled a 7:50.

Studies show that if you take 2 equally conditioned rowers, the heavier one will have a better time.  It's physics and all that. What you need to do is add about 10-15 pounds of muscle.  You do that through increasing your calorie intake with healthy foods and supplementing your workouts with a weight lifting routine.  At your height, the added weight will make a big difference.  It will also keep coaches from wanted to put you back into the coxswain seat.  At 120, I'm predicting your erg time would be around 8:10.

Good Luck/AP