I would look at the DIII programs in the area. Being in Iowa I see the good programs in Iowa and Minnesota. The program I am most impressed with is Nebraska Wesleyan. They always win their conference and have won more NCAA Central Region titles than anyone else over the past 10-12 years. They are always in the NCAA championship and amazingly consistent. Just saw that one of their alums Mike Morgan was the top American in the World Championship marathon.
I hope I'm being picky on word choice but why should the college be a good fit for YOUR running? You run what a coach tells you to run! So where would YOU fit in should really be the question. I do remember someone with your times walking on at Arkansas and coming away with a sub 14 5k by senior year. I honestly can't remember the name but is was news worthy. So with your prs you could be a "nobody" until senior year and alot faster than you are now or you could be the #1 guy all your years at a smaller college and probably not break into the mid 14s. Which is more desirable?
areusure? wrote:
I hope I'm being picky on word choice but why should the college be a good fit for YOUR running? You run what a coach tells you to run! So where would YOU fit in should really be the question. I do remember someone with your times walking on at Arkansas and coming away with a sub 14 5k by senior year. I honestly can't remember the name but is was news worthy. So with your prs you could be a "nobody" until senior year and alot faster than you are now or you could be the #1 guy all your years at a smaller college and probably not break into the mid 14s. Which is more desirable?
Or you can get no personal attention, improve little due to a coach who is focusing on his scorers, place mid pack constantly, and lose the will to run at all by your sophomore year due to not getting anything at all out of the sport for several years.
Bucknell, maybe? You'd be a pretty good recruit for them (not the best) and the academic reputation is considered top-notch (unless you're looking for something in the Ivies). It's expensive, but they help a brotha out.
~~~~~ wrote:
areusure? wrote:I hope I'm being picky on word choice but why should the college be a good fit for YOUR running? You run what a coach tells you to run! So where would YOU fit in should really be the question. I do remember someone with your times walking on at Arkansas and coming away with a sub 14 5k by senior year. I honestly can't remember the name but is was news worthy. So with your prs you could be a "nobody" until senior year and alot faster than you are now or you could be the #1 guy all your years at a smaller college and probably not break into the mid 14s. Which is more desirable?
Or you can get no personal attention, improve little due to a coach who is focusing on his scorers, place mid pack constantly, and lose the will to run at all by your sophomore year due to not getting anything at all out of the sport for several years.
He said pick a place where you can fit in. In other words, he basically agreed with others, just placed a bit more emphasis on heading towards a good program that is a bit more cookie-cutter and not athlete specific, but fits good for you.
college searching wrote:
Thank you everyone. I do care about academics and I want to be proud of my degree. So that is a big factor. In all honesty not to take ANYTHING away from any of the schools, but going to University of St. Francis for example just wouldn't cut it for me. I feel I need to aim a bit higher academically/reputation wise when choosing a school.
Yet I want to make running part of my college experience, and the key thing for me is being able to run and enjoy my time away from practice, with my teammates. I am looking for team camaraderie. That's just important to me.
I feel I might get swallowed up at a Big Ten school, but I'm stil applying to some. I'm not a hardcore partier so state schools intimidate me a bit.Thanks for the insight on walk ons. How would I be able to know what coaches care about walk ons and which don't?
I am definitely going to look into some of the suggestions given here.
Regarding Minnesota, would I have a chance there? It's my understanding they are competitive with Indiana and sometimes Wisconsin, and I know those two programs are very elite.
Also, I think I would enjoy D3 success. When you guys say podium, are you talking nationals or at your conference meet? I really want to love my team for four years, and I know winning isn't everything, but it is something. I'd like to be a contributing factor to a team right away, but not if I am a one hit wonder at the school.
Definitely talking about being on the podium at the national level. While Calvin has won its conference the last 20+ years and region 15+ years, it is also in the top 5 almost every year.
North Central is equally impressive and even more so historically with its number of national titles.
can't believe nobody has mentioned washington university in saint louis. Easily top 50 school in terms of academics, solid D3 XC and track teams, and in the midwest.
I definitely second the DIII vote, especially if you're putting such a large premium on academics and team atmosphere. Most of the top DIII schools have very tight-knit teams and alumni networks. I'm sure this is true of a lot of DI schools as well, but I'm not sure...it's definitely a different atmosphere with scholarship athletes and being in much bigger schools.
You would also not be out of place on the top DIII teams, I know at least at the school I graduated from, there were people who came in at 9:20/4:20 and contributed right away, and others who took a few years to make varsity.
There are a lot of good DIII schools in the midwest - NCC, UW schools, Calvin - there's also some very good schools elsewhere. Notably, Haverford - who won last year, Williams, SUNY-Geneseo, NYU, Dickinson
can't believe nobody's brought up academics. What are your SAT scores? GPA? Some colleges might be great for a 2.3 GPA kid with your times, while others (WashU) are only an option for 3.5+.
sloppytrots wrote:
Bucknell, maybe? You'd be a pretty good recruit for them (not the best) and the academic reputation is considered top-notch (unless you're looking for something in the Ivies). It's expensive, but they help a brotha out.
lol not top notch education. Not even up with a lot of state schools.
Divison two is a good place for you. Grand valley is an awqesome school.
Midwest?
Spearfish SD is nice. Black Hills State. Not a bad team
I went to providence college and got a great education there. You might also want to check out nescac too if you are more academically inclined. Go to new england, best decision you will ever make.
I have put much thought into Washington University. Might be tough for me to get in there. I have solid high school stats but no great stuff outside of school besides running. 3.7ish GPA and 31 on my ACT.
Any D1 schools with tight-knit teams and a coach that would help develop a 9:20/4:20 guy?
I am leaning towards D3, but am still applying to D1 schools because of financial costs mainly and regional reputation.
ucal poly
Portland is fantastic for developing slower runners! And always in the top 20 at nats! You could definitely walk on there, D1. I don't have much advice for any D3 schools
~~~~~ wrote:
areusure? wrote:I hope I'm being picky on word choice but why should the college be a good fit for YOUR running? You run what a coach tells you to run! So where would YOU fit in should really be the question. I do remember someone with your times walking on at Arkansas and coming away with a sub 14 5k by senior year. I honestly can't remember the name but is was news worthy. So with your prs you could be a "nobody" until senior year and alot faster than you are now or you could be the #1 guy all your years at a smaller college and probably not break into the mid 14s. Which is more desirable?
Or you can get no personal attention, improve little due to a coach who is focusing on his scorers, place mid pack constantly, and lose the will to run at all by your sophomore year due to not getting anything at all out of the sport for several years.
Just summarized my experience in D1 perfectly. I transferred to D3 and love it. That said, don't count out a D1 program that will actually focus on each runner's needs and training, because there are some good situations out there. I was about where you were and every day we were given our run assignment for the day and then never heard another word from our coach if you were not one of the top 5 runners. They were making me do runs that someone running sub 30 10k should be, and I was a freshmen who ran 30 miles a week in high school. Two stress fractures later and I'd had enough. When you want to find out about a program, don't talk to the coach or the top guys to get the real scoop, talk to middle-to-bottom of the pack guys on the team and see what they say.
if you get good grades, notre dame is a great option
college searching wrote:
I have put much thought into Washington University. Might be tough for me to get in there. I have solid high school stats but no great stuff outside of school besides running. 3.7ish GPA and 31 on my ACT.
If you really run 920/420, they could probably get you in with those stats.
Notre Dame. Its in the Midwest, good academics, big roster, definitely good team.