Sorry, I goofed! I meant to say:
"I coached DI and DIII, and can tell you that the median (aka "average") DI runner--counting *all* DI programs and *all* their competitors--would probably be slower than the times that sergio listed for *DIII*."
That is: slower than 1:58, 4:28, 8:55, and 15:50!
Look at this list of schools that are Division I basketball:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/teams
I realize that some of these may not have DI track teams, but still. How many schools can you name in these conferences: America East, Atlantic 10, Atlantic Sun, Big Sky, Big South, Big West, Colonial, Conference USA, Horizon, MAAC, Mid-American, MEAC, Missouri Valley, Mountain West, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Patriot League, Southern, Southland, SWAC, Summit League, Sun Belt, West Coast, WAC.
Unless you're in the conference, not more than a handful. For every Northern Arizona on here that will have national caliber runners, you're going to have Eastern Washington, Idaho State, Montana, Montana State, Northern Colorado, Portland State, Sacramento State, and Weber State rounding out the conference. I'm sure there are some individual standouts somewhere among those schools, but I've never heard of them.
The average DI runner is probably as good as an above average high school runner.
Let us also remember that the talent distribution is shaped like a pyramid.
For every guy who runs 1:49 there are 14 guys running 1:58. The slow guys definitely cancel out the fast guys, and then some.
Very, very true - but people here will get all bent out of shape when you say that. Not that there is anything wrong with being as good as an above average HS runner. Anyhow, there is much more work involved - typically. Especially if you are a distance runner - racing 8k/10k in cross and mile - 10k on the track takes a lot of work and it is difficult to "fake it" in an 8k race.
not buying it wrote:
The average DI runner is probably as good as an above average high school runner.
I'd say this thread probably has the average times about right now. But for those not in college, remember that in almost all track programs the "average" male runner isn't receiving anywhere near a full scholarship. When coaches have to divide a max of 11.6 full scholarships between 25-40+ guys and a few guys are on full ride that doesn't leave much for the "average" guy. Maybe just books or a 1/4 share of a scholarship.
my school is a top fifteen D1 school every year. I averaged all our teams times.
800 avg 152 with 8 guys who run it
mile is 407 with 6 milers
3k is 825 with 8 guys
5k 14:25 w 4 guys who run it
These are the times of our guys... They are averaged from personal bests
Jake Barnes,
Max scholarship for Men is 12.6, not 11.6, in Division I.
Kprunner wrote:
my school is a top fifteen D1 school every year. I averaged all our teams times.
800 avg 152 with 8 guys who run it
mile is 407 with 6 milers
3k is 825 with 8 guys
5k 14:25 w 4 guys who run it
These are the times of our guys... They are averaged from personal bests
There are 271 Division 1 programs that grant scholarships for track and field. If your school is in the top 15, it is better than 95% of D1 schools. Yours is the exception, not the rule.
800 Average: 1:53-1:54
1500 Average: 3:55
5k Average: 14:50-15:00
8k average (Pre-Nats): 24:40ish