If you were a top HS distance runner, where would you commit?

I graduated in 2012. I would have picked Oklahoma State for running. Georgia Tech for Academics.

Stanford

UVA

Cal

Since this is a fantasy faster version of me, but not a smarter or richer version of me, I would have to say that my choice would be CU. I would never have been able to get into Stanford, or if I did I wouldn't have been able to handle those academics, and even if ALL that worked out, I couldn't have afforded it.

NAU - If I had the opportunity to be coached by Mike Smith even now as an adult hobbyjogger I would probably do it. I like his approach and the results speak for themselves. My experience in the working world is that literally nobody has ever asked or cared where my undergrad degree is from. I'm sure there are plenty of Stanford grads working alongside UC Santa Cruz grads making the same amount of money.

My dad was a coach, and often was in the position of advising athletes on where to go, and he always, always said, "Go to the school where you'll get the best education." Because almost none of the athletes who go to college to run, will make a living doing it. Their running careers will end with college, and some may coach, but most will do something adjacent like PT or sports medicine, or nothing related at all to running. Running should be the means, not the ends, and the mistake many make is choosing the school that will be best for their running, and not for their growth and development as a well rounded person.

So if I had been a runner good enough to get major scholarships as an athlete, so that financial concerns didn't really matter, I'd be picking the school with the best academic programs, and then, second, that had a strong running program. Factoring both in, Stanford would've been a school I'd have loved to study at, and run for, as they are strong in both.

Texas, currently has the best teams on both mens and womens side for track and is on the come up for xc

CAL, Ha Ha.

Probably would have to be a school in California, Arizona, Colorado, or Florida. Leaning towards CU, but man would it be nice to run for Arizona or Arizona State during the winter.

Mostly that should depend on if you feel like you can handle the academic work load at said University. It is much easier to be a student at NAU than at a ton of more elite colleges.

I am biased for Stanford, so I would say if you could handle the academics there that Stanford would be my choice.

I don't know much about the academics there, but I'm a little surprised no one has mentioned BYU. You can't deny there's more than just a couple things going well with their running programs. And their academics can't be terrible, either.

How steep would the religious barrier be for you?

Stanford, Princeton, Georgetown, academics and contacts.

Seeing all the big name D1 schools listed in response to the OP's hypothetical scenario. Just curious, what non-D1 programs would merit consideration?

Clear answer is Stanford. No other school has the same combination of academic prestige, competitive conference/region, and perfect running weather year round. Say what you want about California but the campus is beautiful and location is great.

Having visited Flagstaff this past summer to train for a month, I'd understand NAU. Incredible location and the best coach in the nation, but its not much better than a community college in terms of academics.

If you want to go public I'd probably choose Michigan. I think its the 2nd or 3rd ranked public university behind Cal and UCLA, but I think more competitive in the distance events.

Maybe School of Mines, but only if you're good at math and can deal with the gender ratio. A lot of people that go there end up stressed tf out and hating their life for four years. Great location though and great program.

MIT and Johns Hopkins are good academically, but aren't that competitive. They're also limited by not being able to offer scholarship or really any assistance with admission as far as I'm aware.

Villanova, Stanford, or Georgetown.

If you’re smart enough to get in, Stanford.

For those that are less academically inclined, It depends on the event.

Middle Distance: Ole Miss, Oregon, UVA, Texas

Distance: NAU, Colorado, Portland

BYU should be an option

I'd sign with adidas

If I'm at the very top end of talent spectrum, Stanford would be really appealing. That being said, we've heard from Fisher/Cranny and other that the coach holds them back from really getting near their potential in college. I get that thinking, but if I graduate not good enough to get a good contract from BTC (that's the pipeline it seems) as a result, that looks like a negative.

NAU and Oregon seem like the top picks to run as fast as possible then with Texas and Ole Miss in the mix. Texas, Princeton and Notre Dame jump out if more academically inclined.