What are some D1 schools that are higher mileage/known for developing runners?

Might take a look at Oregon State.

D1, and a coach with a record of developing runners, including walk-ons, in his previous coaching positions at lower division schools (notably resurrecting program at D3 Willamette U.) The OSU women's team is almost entirely pacific NW. Not sure what the training philosophy is, but if there's really an honest chance for you to be taken as a walk-on, then they should be willing to respect you with a few minutes of direct discussion about your concerns. If not....

http://www.osubeavers.com/sports/w-xc/mtt/sullivan_kelly00.html

Wherever you're thinking, Make a few direct emails and calls. Don't be shy - it's your life.

Another D1 option in NW is Portland State (PSU), in Portland. Maybe not as strong a record, but competes directly with other NW schools (e.g. Pre's Trail Pre-view this year). PSU is the largest university in Oregon, by enrollment. Tuition costs are very competitive.

Backing other posts, U.Portland is very strong in XC. Women's sports have strong tradition there (esp. soccer). Tuition is typical for private school (abt 30K).

The father in me (i have 2 girls) wants to add: Make sure you don't compromise on academic goals.

Yeah, while looking for schools with a promising running program is ok, the main goal of college is to become prepared for what you want to do with your life. You should be looking at schools based on academics also, and not just for their sport programs. But congratulations on choosing to run in college, that's great.

BLP wrote:

The father in me (i have 2 girls) wants to add: Make sure you don't compromise on academic goals.

How fast are you in shorter distances?

Cannot give much help with picking a college. However, if you do not mind posting your training online, our group can help you get faster. We have a site FastRunningBlog.Com where anybody can post their training on a day by day basis. We have runners of different levels from an overweight lady trying to finish a 5 K to a couple OTQ guys in the marathon. Lots of cumulative experience. We've helped a good number of runners achieve "dream" times. I say "dream" in quotes because to me they were not "dream" from the start - I knew they could do it with proper training, but to them they were in the dream range at the time.

I enjoy digging through a collegiate trash can, finding somebody there the coaches did not want, and helping him run well.

One word:

Gonzaga

Track Fan wrote:

Colorado is a burnout school - notice Dathan Ritzenhein, stress fractures and injuries. Adam Goucher - injuries, Alan Culpepper - injuries.

Lower mileage benefitted all of them.

...

Oregon has developing runners - Lauren Zaludek, Claire Michel, Patrick Werhane, Carlos Trujillo.

You really can't expect people to believe this stuff.

Wetmore has his flaws but saying he fries people and mentioning Lananna as one who develops athletes is science fiction. I challenge you to name one person who ran for Vin and improved significantly after college.

Regarding the athletes you mentioned - Zaludek won essentially the B-squad time trial, thanks to a budding eating disorder. Werhane got worse every year after Lananna arrived. He did his best running for Tyson.

CookiesandIceCream wrote:

I honestly can not think of a better coach who prepares his athletes better for a post collegiate career.

Ray Treacy is clearly the best coach in the NCAA in this regard.

if you want to look at junior colleges look at

orange coast college of costa mesa california or

golden west college of huntington beach california.

orange coast has won lots of state xc titles and sent many to division 1

golden west distance coach is larry greer who used to coach at orange coast, and he is obsessed with beating orage coast and winning state, coach greer eats, sleeps and drinks running. and his theory is no matter the outcome any runner who is coached by him will be as well prepared and trained as any runner walking the face of the earth.

CU

HXC runner wrote:

I'm from the northwest and I am a decent female hs runner but nothing amazing. i ran 70 mpw over the summer and my PRs are all right for that sort of mileage. I really want to keep running in college though. Are there any d1 schools out there known for running higher mileage (I would fit in better there) and are known for developing runners? I dont mind if I have to be a walk on. Obviously the 2 top schools in the northwest are probably out of reach for me...

UCSB. Especially for girls. Not much money but they do extremely well considering their resources. High mileage, COlorado-type program. Coach is kinda difficult but if you are a girl you are ok. You;ll def reach your potential there.

I recommend a lower division school such as Southern Oregon University. They have new coaching and will prove to have top five teams nationally every year with minimal talent. If you are looking for D1 that will develop athletes I would suggest Oregon State. The most important thing to do is contact coaches and see what you think, and then visit.

HXC runner wrote:

Well I am about a high 11s 3200 runner and 19-20 5k runner. one more year of training though (or a few more months) of 70, 80 mpw and i could shave some more time off... i'm starting to see the mileage pay off.

colorado got good recruits this year... is it realistic to attempt to walk on to the team in a few months?

Either someone on here is trolling or "HXC" needs to start lowering their collegiate expectations. Those times more accurately reflect an athlete that would be more comfortable competing for a d2 or d3 school.

I dont think it's a troll she is actually really solid times and could run for D1 but she would likely be near the back on a solid D1 team. For Colorado\Oregon she might very well NOT make the team if she doesnt come in to training camp in fall 2011 in best shape of her life. even then it will be tough.

For D2 school she will be IMPACT runner which is good, but she's very serious about her running so while D2/D3 may be ideal if she wants to be in top 7 at some point, a D1 is certainly not out of the question