Weight Dilemma

Question
Hi Mr. Pepper,

So I am in a predicament. This is my last year as a high school student, so I have only one more year to impress colleges (which brings up another question that i have for later). Up until this summer I rowed as a lightweight, however to my dismay, I have seemed to gain some weight and now I am sitting at ~160 pounds. Losing weight would SEEM obvious but the thing is, I am about 6'3"-6'4". My 2k ergometer time is 6:51 and I am positive that I can get in into the low 6:40s this year, which I hope would help me get into colleges?

My coach seems to not have a preference or perhaps just does not want me to go lightweight. But I would prefer being light and I feel if I was a lightweight, I could help some of our boats head to nationals and have colleges prefer me much more. What should I do?

This brings up my other question. Is this last fall season the ONLY season I have left to show off to multiple colleges? Does the spring matter for me, or is it just for the juniors that are on my team?

P.S. My weight dilemma pertains solely to this last year of junior rowing. I am aware that colleges allow rowers over 155, so I am just worried for my team / my races this year.

Thank you very much

Answer
Hi John: Looking at your erg scores, you are above average against heavyweights and in the Top-20% for lightweights.  But if you can get to 6:40 like you say, you'll be in the Top-25% even against heavies.  I generally don't like to tell growing young adults to fight what their body is telling them.  It seems as though you are bound to be ove 160 this year unless you do some radical dieting which may not be the best thing for your rowing or your health.  At 6'-4", being under 160 is verrrry lean -- maybe even unhealthy lean.  If you had more weight, while maintaining your endurance, you're going to be a stronger rower.  

I'd suggest you just make the transition now to be a heavyweight for senior year.  Eat a healthy high-protein diet and supplement that with a muscle-building weight lifting routine. I guarantee you your erg time will drop. I know you want to help your lightweight crew.  But you also want to be the best rower you can be.  At your height, with 180 pounds of muscle, you can get the attention of many college crew coaches.

The answer to your other question is that spring season is very important in Senior year.  Fall season is mostly head races of 3-4 miles.  Spring season are the sprint-type races that colleges also row in that time of year.  Colleges do almost all their scouting and recruiting in the spring.  So take the year seriously.

Good Luck/AP