I just got cut because of new roster limits

Same thing happened to me when the whole situation was announced at the end of last outdoor. Not a grad student, actually the opposite. Freshman who had just ran at conference in cross for the team but had an injury. Entered the portal and destinations were fairly slim as far as COMPETITIVE division 1 programs. Ended up landing at one though and everything was fine. I wouldn’t really be too worried. Enter and see what happens. Either you find a good fit and go there or nothing pops up and you just finish out your degree and don’t use that last year of eligibility. There will be plenty of D1 schools willing to take on a regional qualifier. I can’t really make any promises on if they are Top 30 Caliber programs, but there are always the Louisville, LSU, Tulane, USCarolina, Oklahoma, etc of the world that have the facilities and aren’t that hard to run for. Given your situation you seem to be have everything to gain and nothing to lose when it comes to entering the portal.

You have absolutely nothing to lose by looking at the portal. As it stands you don’t even have a walk-on spot, so unless the masters program at your school is world-renowned in the discipline I don’t see any reason to stay…if you can get a scholarship at another school I would say go for it immediately. Student debt (especially for a masters degree) is no joke. Coming out of college with no student debt and a masters degree, while also being able to run, would be a dream scenario so all the power to you to search for it and find it.

If you can only get a roster spot at another school you’ll have to consider the financial implications. Again, consider that your current situation is having zero scholarship AND zero running..so you can only go up from here!

A 400 meter runner Lauren Lewis put her name in the transfer portal after indoor season ended, she said within an hour she started getting phone calls and she took 32 in the first couple of hours (Its on Youtube where she said this) and since then the phone hasd been ringing nonstop, She has already taken visits to The University of Georgia, South Carolina and UCLA (Athletes are allowed 5 visits, So apparently Coaches are going after kids who are in the the Transfel Portal, Like Starving Piranha goes after food. So be prepared to take a lot of calls. Athletes are in high demand.

Thanks for sharing, seriously.

You have nothing to lose in the portal. Either something nice happens, or you can stay at your current school and just do your masters. (or even cancel masters and start your job right after internship😁, employees love that.)

If you are as flexible as you appear to be, it's 90% likely you will find something in the portal.

Good luck, keep us posted.

Uh, if 2021 Hocker entered the portal he could go anywhere...she's obviously a good runner (made regionals) but not NCAA champ level

I don't see a reason not to enter the portal. The only issue could be if your current team does not allow you to race this season. However, I'd still enter the portal regardless because you'll get a whole other year of track, so missing a few races will be worth it in the long term.

I think if she enters the portal she loses the scholarship she was promised. hence the reluctance to enter the portal.

to answer her question, i am sure someone could be interested because it sounds like she would likely be a point scorer at a conference meet but her options will be limited that's for sure

They don't care about the Student Athlete.

The bill has already been paid for the semester.

^Yep this is the answer. Some absolute anti- competitive BS that the NCAA deserves to get sued again over. "If you even look for another job we will fire you"

OP, I am a current P4 athlete as well. Don't let any negative comments here get you down, it's mostly old dudes who have no clue what it is like to be in our situation. So many dumb "hahah love seeing slow people get cut" MFers who probably type it with cheeto dust on their fingers.

Incorrect. She can be cut but the semester bill was paid 3 months ago.

next year? that's what she's referencing

She is getting cut next year. No dpot. No scholarship. You said she would lost scholarship from entering portal. She will not.

OPs specific situation could be different as she is seeking a fifth year, but your school can take your scholarship as soon as you enter the portal. Also, schools generally do not pay the bill at the beginning of the semester. You (or your parents) pay it and then get reimbursed, so depending on when you enter the portal the current semester is not guaranteed either.

To answer the questions about scholarship etc.

I have a little bit of money promised that will be taken away if I enter the portal (it’s technically nil money not scholarship).

The major costs for this semester (tuition/fees) have already been paid, partly by me and partly by the school.

If you stay at your school for your masters, is there still any money for you in Fall '25 since they are 'cutting' you?

Or is it a clean break at end of spring, and you must pay all for next year yourself?

My school is under no obligation to pay me anything next year because it’d be a 5th year. Though I’ve been accepted into the Master’s program, scholarship discussions have only been verbal.

She’s run a 51.6 and competed in the Olympic Trials last year. None of the female athletes in this thread have shared their PRs but I think it matters.