Anonymous
01/13/2026 19:02
Subject: Track XC
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Also there is no track scholarship or money available for the spot on the team. That’s the biggest myth out there of them all.
There might be “academic merit” money from a private school, but that is not based on sports performance.
Source— kid was a high school distance state champion
Agree, my DC (2nd at States in best event) was recruited and the first question coaches asked was if DC needed money. The answer was no, which made the recruiting easier. Ultimately DC decided to go to a school for the academics and didn't pursue recruiting.
OP D3 schools are a good bet, probably as a walk on.
She’s good enough to be a recruit at most D3s — all but the very top programs. My son runs in the NESCAC and if she’s a good student I would think she’s in recruit range at at least 8 of the NESCACs.
Anonymous
01/13/2026 18:24
Subject: Track XC
Anonymous wrote:Is your daughter trying to get a scholarship, or get recruited to play in college? What year is she is high school?
D3 is where most talented kids can actually run on the team. A 5:20 girls’ mile isn’t all that impressive for most D1s.
Because of title ix, schools have to have sports positions in proportion to the number of men and women at that school. Football is a male only sport that takes up a lot of spots, so many schools only have a female team for some sports. JMU is one, they have a huge football team and are 58% female student body, so they only have a female xc and track team even though they are a D1 CAA school.
JMU is in the Sun Belt now but the rumor around that conference is that track is in danger.
Anonymous
01/13/2026 18:19
Subject: Track XC
Anonymous wrote:Also there is no track scholarship or money available for the spot on the team. That’s the biggest myth out there of them all.
There might be “academic merit” money from a private school, but that is not based on sports performance.
Source— kid was a high school distance state champion
Agree, my DC (2nd at States in best event) was recruited and the first question coaches asked was if DC needed money. The answer was no, which made the recruiting easier. Ultimately DC decided to go to a school for the academics and didn't pursue recruiting.
OP D3 schools are a good bet, probably as a walk on.
Anonymous
01/13/2026 18:18
Subject: Track XC
Anonymous wrote:OP here Can you explain roster cuts and NIL in an easy to understand way? Why is that affecting the track programs? I heard that some schools get girls XC spots directly related to the mens football team so there are actually more spots - is that wrong?
They are cutting men’s and women’s sports equally so no title IX issues. Now that football players can be paid colleges are cutting non-revenue sports to use the savings to pay football players. The lower levels are getting hit the hardest because they need the money the most. They don’t have the big SEC football TV contracts but they still stupidly are trying to keep up in football so that money comes from reducing expenses in the athletics department. Track is a HUGE money pit.
Go D3 unless your kid is recruited to the SEC or BIG 10. D3 still cares about student-athletes. D1 lost its soul long ago.
-former coach
Anonymous
01/13/2026 18:08
Subject: Track XC
Anonymous wrote:OP here Can you explain roster cuts and NIL in an easy to understand way? Why is that affecting the track programs? I heard that some schools get girls XC spots directly related to the mens football team so there are actually more spots - is that wrong?
NIl and NCAA have changed everything over the past couple of years for runners. It's pretty grim out there for track athletes presently.
Anonymous
01/13/2026 17:50
Subject: Track XC
Also there is no track scholarship or money available for the spot on the team. That’s the biggest myth out there of them all.
There might be “academic merit” money from a private school, but that is not based on sports performance.
Source— kid was a high school distance state champion
There might be “academic merit” money from a private school, but that is not based on sports performance.
Source— kid was a high school distance state champion
Anonymous
01/13/2026 17:41
Subject: Re:Track XC
Agree with the others -- many D3s would be happy to have her. The MOST competitive D3s are probably a little too fast, but she'd be a good fit for many.
I would recommend that she choose first on the basis of academics. Then go through their track/XC websites and see if her times line up. If she's in range, she should go ahead and email the coach. Good luck!
I would recommend that she choose first on the basis of academics. Then go through their track/XC websites and see if her times line up. If she's in range, she should go ahead and email the coach. Good luck!
Anonymous
01/13/2026 17:38
Subject: Track XC
Is your daughter trying to get a scholarship, or get recruited to play in college? What year is she is high school?
D3 is where most talented kids can actually run on the team. A 5:20 girls’ mile isn’t all that impressive for most D1s.
Because of title ix, schools have to have sports positions in proportion to the number of men and women at that school. Football is a male only sport that takes up a lot of spots, so many schools only have a female team for some sports. JMU is one, they have a huge football team and are 58% female student body, so they only have a female xc and track team even though they are a D1 CAA school.
D3 is where most talented kids can actually run on the team. A 5:20 girls’ mile isn’t all that impressive for most D1s.
Because of title ix, schools have to have sports positions in proportion to the number of men and women at that school. Football is a male only sport that takes up a lot of spots, so many schools only have a female team for some sports. JMU is one, they have a huge football team and are 58% female student body, so they only have a female xc and track team even though they are a D1 CAA school.
Anonymous
01/13/2026 17:25
Subject: Track XC
OP here Can you explain roster cuts and NIL in an easy to understand way? Why is that affecting the track programs? I heard that some schools get girls XC spots directly related to the mens football team so there are actually more spots - is that wrong?
Anonymous
01/13/2026 17:20
Subject: Track XC
Look at the web site runcruit.com. It’s helpful and directionally correct.
Anonymous
01/13/2026 16:53
Subject: Track XC
Lower level D1 is on the chopping block. Roster cuts, entire program cuts due to NIL. St, Francis moved down from D1 to D2 or D3. You really don’t want to get involved with D1 right now unless the kid is being recruited by a top 10 program. You’re better off at an academic D3 like W&L.
Anonymous
01/13/2026 16:52
Subject: Track XC
Those times are in the walk-on range for Towson-- but not recruiting range. it looks like all the schools in that conference are similar:
https://runcruit.com/conference/colonial-caa
https://runcruit.com/conference/colonial-caa
Anonymous
01/13/2026 16:26
Subject: Track XC
She’s open to anything, but would love a smaller D1- the process is just a bit overwhelming!
Anonymous
01/13/2026 15:58
Subject: Track XC
Anonymous wrote:Anywhere my DD can run with a 5:20 1600 and slightly sub 20 5K? We are having a hard time!!
Many D3 schools would be happy to have her. Is she only looking at D1s?
Anonymous
01/13/2026 15:48
Subject: Track XC
Anywhere my DD can run with a 5:20 1600 and slightly sub 20 5K? We are having a hard time!!