Another track question… does running on a club team rather than a high school team

[Anonymous]

D1 track parent here.

Have you used the sites runcruit and tfrrs to see how your son’s track times stack up to D1 sprinters for the schools he’s targeting? What are his current times for his top events and what are his goal times this season? I know we’re about to start winter track and spring track so it’s really the next two seasons that’s count, time wise.

I asked about full pay because it’s much easier if you’re willing to be full pay at a top d3 team and get running and competition time than if your going for top D1 schools, especially ACC, SEC, or Big 10.

Example, my son’s friend is now running at Colgate. Great school, but it’s $80k/year. We cannot afford that, so most of the top D3s with strong academics and running were out for us. Think Amherst, Williams, Davidson, Carnegie Mellon, etc. But those are great schools for academics and running if you have the academic stats and are full pay.

[Anonymous]

OP, a couple more things. If you're not already following Coach Renee Lopez's Facebook group, you should be. The group is called Educating Parents of HS Athletes On The College Recruiting Process. She's a bit much, but her advice is excellent. I'll tell you the highlights of what she would tell you.

1.) It doesn't really matter if your kid is competing for his school or a club. In finding a fit for college, it's about how he markets himself. (And for track, always, times!) She would say he should be emailing coaches and building relationships NOW.

2.) He should "cast a wide net" and consider schools at all divisions.

I don't know a lot about sprinting. But I grew up in NYS, which is a very competitive scene, and a lot of hot shots went on to run track at SUNY Cortland. NOT the most prestigious SUNY, or a particularly nice town. But the coach was Jack Daniels, who was doing revolutionary work in exercise science. He got many kids to national competition. There are gems in many unexpected places.

[Anonymous]

Parent of a (now graduated) D1 track athlete: mine did both. Ran with his HS team in season, ran with different club teams for invitationals and summer meets. Honestly, wasn’t terribly impressed with club coaching- but if you have an opportunity to try different coaches you can see who clicks with your kid.

[Anonymous]

Also there’s some useful information about track recruitment on this site.

https://talk.collegeconfidential.com/t/track-and-field/2107279

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:D1 track parent here.

Have you used the sites runcruit and tfrrs to see how your son’s track times stack up to D1 sprinters for the schools he’s targeting? What are his current times for his top events and what are his goal times this season? I know we’re about to start winter track and spring track so it’s really the next two seasons that’s count, time wise.

I asked about full pay because it’s much easier if you’re willing to be full pay at a top d3 team and get running and competition time than if your going for top D1 schools, especially ACC, SEC, or Big 10.

Example, my son’s friend is now running at Colgate. Great school, but it’s $80k/year. We cannot afford that, so most of the top D3s with strong academics and running were out for us. Think Amherst, Williams, Davidson, Carnegie Mellon, etc. But those are great schools for academics and running if you have the academic stats and are full pay.

Hi, thanks for responding. Yes, we are all over run recruit, and dcs times are good for a number of schools he has interest, but not good enough for some of his more ‘dream’ track schools. Hence, his hysteria about working with the best coaching he can during this critical time. So far, dc doesn’t seem to have much interest in those types of d3 schools you listed above but that may change, as the reality of his d1 chances sets in. Of course I have to be careful not to rain on his dreams, so I’m trying to be sensitive in this process… I’m trying to keep him open to options, and obviously I want to find a good academic fit for him as well. We could do full pay at a D3 but it would be a stretch for our family, and I don’t know if it makes sense given dc has thoughts of grad school to blow so much $ wise on undergrad. So I’m trying to find a ‘lesser’ (for track) D1 state school option that could be a good fit.

Just juggling a lot of different thoughts right now. I’m happy he’s found something he loves that keeps him healthy and out of trouble, but I’ll admit this process was much easier for my other non athletic kid!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, a couple more things. If you're not already following Coach Renee Lopez's Facebook group, you should be. The group is called Educating Parents of HS Athletes On The College Recruiting Process. She's a bit much, but her advice is excellent. I'll tell you the highlights of what she would tell you.

1.) It doesn't really matter if your kid is competing for his school or a club. In finding a fit for college, it's about how he markets himself. (And for track, always, times!) She would say he should be emailing coaches and building relationships NOW.

2.) He should "cast a wide net" and consider schools at all divisions.

I don't know a lot about sprinting. But I grew up in NYS, which is a very competitive scene, and a lot of hot shots went on to run track at SUNY Cortland. NOT the most prestigious SUNY, or a particularly nice town. But the coach was Jack Daniels, who was doing revolutionary work in exercise science. He got many kids to national competition. There are gems in many unexpected places.

This is all helpful advice, thanks. I’ll look into Cortland. I’d also heard SUNY Geneseo has a strong track program

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parent of a (now graduated) D1 track athlete: mine did both. Ran with his HS team in season, ran with different club teams for invitationals and summer meets. Honestly, wasn’t terribly impressed with club coaching- but if you have an opportunity to try different coaches you can see who clicks with your kid.

This is helpful, thanks. We stumbled on a great club coach which has been nice. The HS coach is a good coach overall but doesn’t seem to know how to train sprinters, but that’s this club coaches specialty.

It seems like the consensus here is times matter the most, wherever they come from as long as their official obviously

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, a couple more things. If you're not already following Coach Renee Lopez's Facebook group, you should be. The group is called Educating Parents of HS Athletes On The College Recruiting Process. She's a bit much, but her advice is excellent. I'll tell you the highlights of what she would tell you.

1.) It doesn't really matter if your kid is competing for his school or a club. In finding a fit for college, it's about how he markets himself. (And for track, always, times!) She would say he should be emailing coaches and building relationships NOW.

2.) He should "cast a wide net" and consider schools at all divisions.

I don't know a lot about sprinting. But I grew up in NYS, which is a very competitive scene, and a lot of hot shots went on to run track at SUNY Cortland. NOT the most prestigious SUNY, or a particularly nice town. But the coach was Jack Daniels, who was doing revolutionary work in exercise science. He got many kids to national competition. There are gems in many unexpected places.

This is all helpful advice, thanks. I’ll look into Cortland. I’d also heard SUNY Geneseo has a strong track program

One more question- how does a kid market themselves other than their times? Dc has written a few coaches and received some info from others unsolicited. But I’m not sure what else one can do to ‘market’. In addition to his individual times, he consistently helped deliver wins on his relay teams. I guess that’s something to mention? Anything else?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, a couple more things. If you're not already following Coach Renee Lopez's Facebook group, you should be. The group is called Educating Parents of HS Athletes On The College Recruiting Process. She's a bit much, but her advice is excellent. I'll tell you the highlights of what she would tell you.

1.) It doesn't really matter if your kid is competing for his school or a club. In finding a fit for college, it's about how he markets himself. (And for track, always, times!) She would say he should be emailing coaches and building relationships NOW.

2.) He should "cast a wide net" and consider schools at all divisions.

I don't know a lot about sprinting. But I grew up in NYS, which is a very competitive scene, and a lot of hot shots went on to run track at SUNY Cortland. NOT the most prestigious SUNY, or a particularly nice town. But the coach was Jack Daniels, who was doing revolutionary work in exercise science. He got many kids to national competition. There are gems in many unexpected places.

This is all helpful advice, thanks. I’ll look into Cortland. I’d also heard SUNY Geneseo has a strong track program

One more question- how does a kid market themselves other than their times? Dc has written a few coaches and received some info from others unsolicited. But I’m not sure what else one can do to ‘market’. In addition to his individual times, he consistently helped deliver wins on his relay teams. I guess that’s something to mention? Anything else?

Seriously, follow Coach Renee!

I looked back through the thread, and you said grades are good. If GPA is over, say, 3.7, you could put that in an introductory subject line. So, like, (sorry, I'm just going to make up times)

49.6 400 runner with a 3.7 GPA, class of 2026

Keep emails short, friendly and upbeat. Absolutely highlight contributions to relays. Any and all academic strengths -- for example, "I'm carrying a 3.7 GPA in honors classes plus two AP classes."

And she would say -- make sure you're emailing coaches at every level -- D1, D2, D3, and she likes NAIA, although those schools are more obscure.

[Anonymous]

You’re really not gonna get much interest from coaches unless you are something that they need. Meaning you runner with times that are amazing for that school, and in a slot that they don’t have. Given the fact that you’re only talking D1 schools, you have to be realistic that you won’t get much interest.

I think it’s smart to recognize that it’s pretty impossible to get recruited at a D1 school if your times are A- or below. You can maybe walk onto the team, you can more likely play club. or you can target D2 and D3 and accept it. There are also affordable D3 out there when you add it in merit.

Basically, it’s hard to find the unicorn that matches high academics, low cost, and strong athletics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You’re really not gonna get much interest from coaches unless you are something that they need. Meaning you runner with times that are amazing for that school, and in a slot that they don’t have. Given the fact that you’re only talking D1 schools, you have to be realistic that you won’t get much interest.

I think it’s smart to recognize that it’s pretty impossible to get recruited at a D1 school if your times are A- or below. You can maybe walk onto the team, you can more likely play club. or you can target D2 and D3 and accept it. There are also affordable D3 out there when you add it in merit.

Basically, it’s hard to find the unicorn that matches high academics, low cost, and strong athletics.

Former D1 power 4 scholarship athlete here. Times have changed but being able to be a state high school champion in my heavily populated state was not something to give up easily. It really helped in recruiting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, a couple more things. If you're not already following Coach Renee Lopez's Facebook group, you should be. The group is called Educating Parents of HS Athletes On The College Recruiting Process. She's a bit much, but her advice is excellent. I'll tell you the highlights of what she would tell you.

1.) It doesn't really matter if your kid is competing for his school or a club. In finding a fit for college, it's about how he markets himself. (And for track, always, times!) She would say he should be emailing coaches and building relationships NOW.

2.) He should "cast a wide net" and consider schools at all divisions.

I don't know a lot about sprinting. But I grew up in NYS, which is a very competitive scene, and a lot of hot shots went on to run track at SUNY Cortland. NOT the most prestigious SUNY, or a particularly nice town. But the coach was Jack Daniels, who was doing revolutionary work in exercise science. He got many kids to national competition. There are gems in many unexpected places.

This is all helpful advice, thanks. I’ll look into Cortland. I’d also heard SUNY Geneseo has a strong track program

One more question- how does a kid market themselves other than their times? Dc has written a few coaches and received some info from others unsolicited. But I’m not sure what else one can do to ‘market’. In addition to his individual times, he consistently helped deliver wins on his relay teams. I guess that’s something to mention? Anything else?

Seriously, follow Coach Renee!

I looked back through the thread, and you said grades are good. If GPA is over, say, 3.7, you could put that in an introductory subject line. So, like, (sorry, I'm just going to make up times)

49.6 400 runner with a 3.7 GPA, class of 2026

Keep emails short, friendly and upbeat. Absolutely highlight contributions to relays. Any and all academic strengths -- for example, "I'm carrying a 3.7 GPA in honors classes plus two AP classes."

And she would say -- make sure you're emailing coaches at every level -- D1, D2, D3, and she likes NAIA, although those schools are more obscure.

Thanks! This is great advice. Off to check out NAIA.

[Anonymous]

Its generally better to be on a HS team for the racing opportunities if nothing else. Yes you can race unattached in some meets against good HS comp but club only meets for HS age athletes are usually not that competitive. At least in season.

Otherwise there are too many variables to make a blanket statement. Is the HS coach competent? Competent in your event? Is the HS program year round or only in-season? How good are you really? Are your dreams reasonable or aspirational? Sprint talent has a significant "born with it" component.

June 1- Nov 15 or so is a large block of time when HS is not in season for track. So, at those times I don't see many HS coaches having issue with club participation. Many would be thrilled tbh, that a kid is motivated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Its generally better to be on a HS team for the racing opportunities if nothing else. Yes you can race unattached in some meets against good HS comp but club only meets for HS age athletes are usually not that competitive. At least in season.

Otherwise there are too many variables to make a blanket statement. Is the HS coach competent? Competent in your event? Is the HS program year round or only in-season? How good are you really? Are your dreams reasonable or aspirational? Sprint talent has a significant "born with it" component.

June 1- Nov 15 or so is a large block of time when HS is not in season for track. So, at those times I don't see many HS coaches having issue with club participation. Many would be thrilled tbh, that a kid is motivated.

HS coach is not competent in sprints unfortunately. That’s why the club thing came up bc it’s a chance to train with a real sprinter. Dc was naturally fast right off the bat. Track was a fluke. He showed up because a football friend joined the team, but dc started winning races and the passion grew from there

[Anonymous]

Obviously, Hobbs Kessler is a unicorn but his training story shows how he leveraged world class coaching that was available to him where he grew up (in addition to running HS) ... https://trackandfieldnews.com/article/hobbs-kessler-the-making-of-a-miler/