Track at college

Anonymous
My DD wants to run in college. She looks at the runcruit website and for her events, which are more distance based, for the D1 schools she falls between recruit and walk on. Does anyone know how walk-on works for D1 track schools? If we can pay full tuition, does that make it easier to get a spot on the roster or are they still limited in roster sizes? We know absolutely nothing about this so any advice would be helpful.
Anonymous
A girl has it slightly easier than a guy, there are more teams.

Try to find her college matches from an academic perspective first. Do the “break your leg” test and decide if you would be happy at that school if you couldn’t be on the team.

Decide if you are full pay without merit at all the schools you’re looking at. That cut out many of the D3 slacs where your times could be lower, for my kid.

Start following the teams she is interested in on Instagram and look at their distance rosters on their websites. Look at TFRRS website as well.

Pay for one year of milestat pro so you can look at all the detailed stats of players.

Tell your high school coach that you are interested in running in college and that they should be able to help you with writing an email to the distance coach for the colleges. Should include current, GPA, current SATs, or act, if they are good, and recent times and races. Don’t expect much of a response back even if you are within their times.

There are four criteria usually for choosing a college: fit, academics, cost, and running experience. You may not be able to get all four aligned very easily.

My son wound up at his first choice at a high level ACC D1 where he tried to walk onto the D1 team, but there were no middle distance spots this year for walk ons. He is running club track and liking that and really enjoying his college experience. He also considered several lower ranked D1 schools and also some D3’s but ultimately felt better about this school for a college experience.
Anonymous
I think you should assume that you won’t be able to walk on to most programs, because track/xc spots are very very, very, very limited. Unless you hear otherwise from someone at the school, assume that it’s not possible.
Anonymous
Read up on the House settlement. My understanding is walk-ons have been virtually eliminated (though I don’t know specifics about track).
Anonymous
Walk-ons are no longer a thing at the schools in major D1 conferences. At Ivies, it’s still a possibility. Your daughter needs to contact the coaches to find out whether she would be able to walk on.
Anonymous
I would focus on academics and general fit first, then look for a college with a strong club. I wouldn’t count on a walk-on spot.
Anonymous
Post her times in the 1600, 3200 and 5k. I can give you some guidance of where that'll fall. There is a big difference between running at BYU and St. Bonaventure.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Post her times in the 1600, 3200 and 5k. I can give you some guidance of where that'll fall. There is a big difference between running at BYU and St. Bonaventure.


NP. So weird. Op can use run cruit
Anonymous
5:15 11:10 19:30
Anonymous
Is she a freshman, sophomore or a junior?
Anonymous
Junior
Anonymous
You need to research the cuts that are happening to D1 running and understand what we have seen so far is the tip of the iceberg. D1 running could be eliminated and that’s not hyperbole. Either run D3 or go for club running at the bigger schools. Both are better than you think.
Anonymous
There was a big club meet at UVA today hosted on the same course that varsity runs at. Many teams and runners qualified for club nationals. Oh and the best part? The club kids still love running. NCAA running, especially D1, makes most kids hate it.

Look at the results here- https://snapresults.snaptiming.com/meets/58562
Anonymous
Club is the answer
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:5:15 11:10 19:30



Those times should get some attention from smaller D1s, especially if she shows some improvement this spring. Think Patriot League or A10.

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