My son is looking at running at a PA college and looking for input on the various XC programs. With the D1 blackout period it's been very difficult to get a feel for the coaches over phone/email/zoom calls. (FWIW - we invested in a PA prepaid savings plan years ago so while he can go out of state, it's much cheaper to stay within PA. )
He's run 1525 (Sr XC) / 422 (Jr indoor) / 925 (time trial summer after Jr year); understand that he wouldn't be their top runner and don't expect money, but he wants the chance to get better and compete.
Temple - program has been strong and seems on the upswing but didn't like the campus
PennSt - this was high on his list but the coach has largely ignored him. I've heard stories of burned out kids but don't know if that's true.
Pitt - their distance program seems to be floundering and they were horrible at ACCs last month. seems like a sprinter school and XC is ignored.
Duquesne - a smaller program that doesn't seem to have the resources as the bigger schools but the kids that go there do seem to improve.
We considered Edinboro and Shippensburg but the state school system in PA is a mess right now with schools consolidating and lots of cuts. And the bigger schools are all better academically anyway.
Appreciate any insights.