I run a 17:50 5K. Is there a division 1 or 2 school I can run at?

Bentley XC wrote:

In the end, if you can stand not being an impact runner (at least initially), you'll still be able to look back to your high school times and be amazed at the improvement. don't worry too much about what others are doing. If running/endurance sports are important/fun to you, just give it a shot.

This.

I walked onto a college team above my pay grade and got my ass handed to me. In two years, I was faster than any of the girls at the D3 college that had wanted me. I was never the superstar of my team, but I'd rather go up against better competition and be middle of the pack than to limit myself to situations where I could be the best of the bottom.

I've wondered how much improvement that mediocre runners make when put in a big pond situation is psychological. I think that the D3 coach ran a good program, good mileage, and he had some good runners in the past. But most the D3 team girls had similar times to mine in high school and didn't improve as much as I did. When racing against similar runners, did they feel that they were good enough? When you're at the back with better runners passing you, you know that you have to improve or your time on the team is going to be over. It was a good realization for me.

In order to be considered D1, a school must field a team in a minimum number of varsity sports. (I don't know how many) Some schools are D1 for the sake of basketball, then just do the minimum in the other sports just to stay eligible for D1. Since cross country is a relatively inexpensive sport, it is usually one of them.

One school that comes to mind is UW-Green Bay. Their cross country team has guys that run in the 29 minute range for 8K, and some of these guys are probably getting scholarships because they are required to field a team. Granted, they get smoked in D1 meets, but they are getting to have cross country part of their college experience.

You did not state your location. Look around for D1 schools known for basketball that do not field an expensive football team. They probably have a cross country program that is looking for runners. You might not only be able to be a walk-on, you may even get a scholarship.

If you're that slow, use your senior year and two years at a competitive JUCO to get faster.

You probably won't get much if any scholarship money at a JUCO either, but they'll let you run and coach you, too, instead of ignoring you or cutting you.

You'll end up saving money and hopefully be able to get to a decent school by the time you're heading into your junior year of college.

the main "obsession" with D1 is because of academics.

i want to be a chemistry major and teach at the university level if possible.

i live in the midwest, the green bay possibility does sound intriguing.

yes, i am serious wrote:

the main "obsession" with D1 is because of academics.

i want to be a chemistry major and teach at the university level if possible.

i live in the midwest, the green bay possibility does sound intriguing.

Wow, at least the Op is smarter than the people answering his questions.

yes, I am serious. wrote:

Bob and Doug McKenzie wrote:

Lots of places. You're a chick, right?

No.

___________________________________

Many schools allow walk-ons. You will get the privilege of practicing with the team, but will not go on many road trips. You will probably never score for your team.

Why would you not choose a school based on what you want to study?

I barely ran in HS and ran 17:56 for 5k xc. I never dreamed of running in college, but a friend made me run at the local JC when I left HS. I had to pay for my own school so I was planning on attending a JC first anyway, but it ended up being a good move. By my second year I had ran 15:24 on the track and they gave me a scholarship because I was our #2 man in XC (my first year I was #9).

If you can do good at a smaller school and develop, maybe you can transfer to a larger school and run for them later.

Check out Valparaiso University located in northern Indiana. They are academically well respected, especially in the science fields. They are also a D1 school that gives athletic scholarships.

At their conference meet last fall, their 1st man was 28:28, and their 5th man was 29:10, so it is very possible to make the team. Their times aren't always as slow, at the Notre Dame Invite (fast course) they had a guy run low 26's, and their 5th man was 28:25.

Ole Miss

http://www.olemisssports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=13023&SPID=747&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=2600&ATCLID=748353&Q_SEASON=2009

http://www.olemisssports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=13023&SPID=747&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=2600&ATCLID=1617049&Q_SEASON=2009

http://www.olemisssports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=13023&SPID=747&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=2600&ATCLID=204809442&Q_SEASON=2009

A lot of these guys are running 30 minutes for 8k.

I'm on a middle of the road NCAA d3 team, and you wouldn't even stand a chance of making OUR roster, so why the heck do you have this "d1 or d2" mentality? are you looking to be rejected? its not like you need to go to those levels to find competition...you'd be hard pressed to be in the top 20 guys on any respectable d3 roster

You Are Very Bad wrote:

I'm on a middle of the road NCAA d3 team, and you wouldn't even stand a chance of making OUR roster, so why the heck do you have this "d1 or d2" mentality? are you looking to be rejected? its not like you need to go to those levels to find competition...you'd be hard pressed to be in the top 20 guys on any respectable d3 roster

Cut the guy a little slack, fella. He is perfectly aware of his ability, and he is only a junior. Perhaps his 17:50 was accomplished by participating in a low mileage program, and he'll improve dramatically when his mileage goes up. He is also going to school to get an education, not just to run.

Look into UNC Asheville. They are DI and a 17:50 5k would place you in their top 5. However if you want to improve your time then do not go there because all of their runners get slower each year and their coach has no clue what is going on.

Fordham = D1

st. bonaventure

You Are Very Bad wrote:

I'm on a middle of the road NCAA d3 team, and you wouldn't even stand a chance of making OUR roster, so why the heck do you have this "d1 or d2" mentality? are you looking to be rejected? its not like you need to go to those levels to find competition...you'd be hard pressed to be in the top 20 guys on any respectable d3 roster

I was on a top ten d3 team (that is very good academically as well), and he would have been in our top 20. You are simply being a jerk. I am not sure you are actually on a d3 team. In most large xc meets composed primarily of d3 teams, there are many kids, sometimes as many as a hundred, who can't break 30 minutes.

youareverywrong wrote:

You Are Very Bad wrote:

I'm on a middle of the road NCAA d3 team, and you wouldn't even stand a chance of making OUR roster, so why the heck do you have this "d1 or d2" mentality? are you looking to be rejected? its not like you need to go to those levels to find competition...you'd be hard pressed to be in the top 20 guys on any respectable d3 roster

I was on a top ten d3 team (that is very good academically as well), and he would have been in our top 20. You are simply being a jerk. I am not sure you are actually on a d3 team. In most large xc meets composed primarily of d3 teams, there are many kids, sometimes as many as a hundred, who can't break 30 minutes.

Agreed. This guy is being a douchebag. Middle of the road is not top20? plus top 20 even has some kids running 32minutes on the roster. dont be an idiot

If you want an education at major university, D1 is not your only option. There are some very good club programs in NIRCA, the National Intercollegiate Running Club Association. I would draw your attention to the top three men's programs in NIRCA: UW Madison, Illinois, and Michigan. All three are better than most NCAA Division III teams.

At Illinois, you'd have access to all of the academic resources you want, and you'd be about our 20th man coming in with those high school times. If you're interested, head over to our website at

http://sites.google.com/site/illinoisclubxc/

or email me at

jenglan3@illinois.edu

While I commend your attempt at continuing running, you must admit, the Club level is like the "unborn fetus" if you consider D3 and NAIA Baby Nationals.

What is your e-mail