Lower times for scholarships?

I can't talk to whether you can lower your times that much.

But, I would say a few things:

1. I had the same experience. I was a walk on. I didn't get my photo on signing day even though a teammate did and had slower times. It has motivated me to keep improving.

2. Even if you could lower your time, I doubt that your D1 coach is going to cough up $ before you get to school.

3. My experience is that coaches are stingy on recruiting $. I'm the fastest returning XC runner at a Power 5 conference and I'm getting $0 (I'm a guy. It might be easier as a woman.)

4. Money is out there for the taking, but the better schools are often harder to get $ out of. My point is that you shouldn't maximize your scholarship $, but rather maximize the best school you can go to. If they're very close, by all means, take the $.

Hope this helps.

Don't take this the wrong way, as it isn't tended to be mean spirited. But, if you are concerned about getting your photo taken on a signing day, I'd wonder if you have what it takes to survive college running.

You have talent. You are pretty good for the HS level. But, unless you progress in an unexpected way, you aren't going to be a stud at college. That isn't a problem, it is the boat most good hs runners are in. But, if you tend to care about things like signing days, you should realize you are going to get very little extrinsic recognition at college. You won't win many races. You won't get your name in the local paper. It probably won't be as fun as it was in high school.

But, you can get a heck of a lot faster and test your limits and develop a closeness with your teammates that you never quite get in any other type of friendship. It will only matter to you though.

First two posters had good advice.

Regarding the possibility of getting scholarship money after improving this season-I'd put the odds at slim to none. The fact is that the money doesn't just sit there waiting for you-it's already been allocated to someone else. Depending on the program, you may or may not be able to get money at some point during your college career if you compete well.

While it is nice to sit up there with your teammates around you and then your picture in the paper, in the big picture it can be a blessing that you are not signing a NLI. The NLI is a binding agreement between you and the school. If you were to change your mind and wanted to go to a different school your eligibility would be affected. Granted, it also in binding for the school to provide the scholarship money. However, most college track athletes get so little scholarship money that this binding contract heavily favors the school.

Keep running hard. Go to a school with the academics you want. If at some point they offer you money, look at it as a bonus.

Ii think a 5:40 to 5:10's are possible if you train your ass off everyday. What does anyone else think?

Keep your head up!!

Our #1 full-scholarship female (100% athletic) that we signed ran 5:24/12:02 (junior times) but has tremendous upside. We're always looking for great student-athletes that will buy into the program, school, and culture, and that we feel have potential (i.e, severely undertrained!!).

Best wishes. There are close to 300 DI programs offering full scholarships to females, and many of them need sub-5:15/sub-12:00 to hit numbers and thus the full rides (100% athletic).

you have can sit at the table on signing day, and just sign your name on your school acceptance letter to signify your "commitment to attend." Or you can sign your financial aid package, or you can sign a blank sheet of paper. Nobody looks at the paper. Just wear the shirt or hat of the school you plan to attend.

you are making more of this than you should.

plus i'd like to know what division 1 school is paying 1/3rd tuition with athletic dollars for your teammate that is close to your 5:40 in times.

Get over yourself. I went D1 for actual money but didn't do a public signing because that's not what it's all about for me. It's a sad day if all people care about is recognition.

I agree with the other comments. It's common for coaches to split up scholarships in half, but if your teammate is getting a third of a scholarship then you really aren't missing anything. Especially if she goes to a college that isn't a good fit for her academically and she feels an obligation to go there because she got offered a third of a scholarship. Make peace with the school choice you've made and to walk-on there. Talk to your HS coach about your training and racing goals for the season. If this is your fourth year of HS running, then dropping from 5:40-5:10 in two months is a reach. Aim to hit a good PR by the end of the season and advance to post-season competition.

Yep

Mid-Major DI Coach wrote:

Keep your head up!!

Our #1 full-scholarship female (100% athletic) that we signed ran 5:24/12:02 (junior times) but has tremendous upside. We're always looking for great student-athletes that will buy into the program, school, and culture, and that we feel have potential (i.e, severely undertrained!!).

Best wishes. There are close to 300 DI programs offering full scholarships to females, and many of them need sub-5:15/sub-12:00 to hit numbers and thus the full rides (100% athletic).

Amazes me what slow times will score girls money. Can't wait for the day football is thrown on the scrap heap due to dementia issues so make runners get some love.

uhbffgbvxz wrote:

Amazes me what slow times will score girls money. Can't wait for the day football is thrown on the scrap heap due to dementia issues so make runners get some love.

Becareful what your wish for. When football stops subsidizing other athletic programs (football is revenue positive at most DI schools. The bottom feeders lose a lot of money. The rest do ok. Track is just a money losing sport at all levels), you might not like the outcome.

Football makes big money for a few schools. Many places, it's just an expense like anything else. Remember, it *costs* a lot of $$ to run a football program too.

Everything you said is right except college running is a lot more fun than high school running. But recognition is zero. The only people who'll even know you had a a meet on saturday are some folks annoyed they can't walk the dog on their usual route because the trails are closed off until noon.