For the current and former college coaches, what criteria are most useful to you in predicting Div. 1 success and awarding scholarships: 1600/3200 times; xc times; running form; results in state and national meets? Feel free to add other criteria and if your considerations differ between males and females (beyond the obvious fact that fewer scholarships for guys).
The three things I look at besides PRs (I actually don't put much stock in just their PR)....
1) Range... Can the athlete run well in multiple events?
2) Consistency... What are the athlete's 2nd and 3rd best performances in each event and how does that compare to their PR?
3) When it matters... How does the athlete perform at their championship meets? Do they run PRs or do they choke? Is the athlete a "gamer?"
*Note, I absolutely do not care about cross country times. All I want to know about cross country is where the athlete placed at major or championship meets. Other than that I do not care and I will avoid athletes who run "great" times in cross country but can't replicate that performance on the track.
Spoke to one coach so far in person, Div 2. Was told no money first year. Female....Times 5 min mile, 2:19 800, three collegiate cross country races 3rd, 1st, 2nd, lost to course record setter by 5 seconds. Running as open runner still in high school! Will be sending out more letters soon because being told no money but expected to contribute from the start for the team! How long does it usually take for an offer and am I expecting to much with these times?
Oh. worst times are 1600 5:20, 800 2:25, 5K 18:40, 10k 36:15, half 1:22!
There are HUGE variations between Division I programs. I know of some schools where you would be offered a lot of scholarship off of what you have done. There are others where you would walk on and might not make the team.
I always tell kids to "Get in where you fit in!"
Find a program where you will be challenged, but not so far above your ability level that you will not be able to travel and have competitive opportunities.
Your question is so broad that it's almost unanswerable. First, you can be a pretty terrible female runner and still get some scholarship money. There are programs that are literally begging women to join the team. They are flush with cash due to title IX and they're giving it away. If you are a guy, it's the complete other side of the coin.
Second, are you wanting to go to any school? A private school? A top tier academic, a state school, any school that will give you any scholarship money??
Third, look to your track times. It's just a lot easier for a coach to look at your 1600/3200 and understand where you are over XC. There's so much variance between courses that time is really not important. If you perform well at a big meet, the tell them about for sure.
leave your email here, people will contact you
EZ10Miler wrote:
First, you can be a pretty terrible female runner and still get some scholarship money. There are programs that are literally begging women to join the team. They are flush with cash due to title IX and they're giving it away. If you are a guy, it's the complete other side of the coin.
Absolutely agree 100%
In reality, coaches are 1st concerned with your academic ability with regard to the other financial aid you can receive from the school. The more money you can get via merit based or need based through the school, the more likely you are to get some additional help from an athletic program. If a coach has to take a risk, he/she wants to risk as little of his money as possible but still bring in a quality athlete.
They are more likely to spend money on someone who's academically sound and is more likely to last at the college, than to take a big money risk on someone who might not make it through the year.
What are some of these schools? High GPA and works almost full time. Have totally open mind when it comes to getting education and competing!
again, leave your email here, and coaches will contact you
SabreToothKitten wrote:
EZ10Miler wrote:First, you can be a pretty terrible female runner and still get some scholarship money. There are programs that are literally begging women to join the team. They are flush with cash due to title IX and they're giving it away. If you are a guy, it's the complete other side of the coin.
Absolutely agree 100%
Man is this true!
We had women that were the 2nd and 3rd women on their HS teams getting full tuition. Meanwhile we had guy scrapping for book scholarships and they were regional and state champions.
It's a situation where you have huge depth on the men's side, paper thin depth on the girls side, but huge amounts of money set aside marked "for girls only".
OK. Here is email! jthomas@hotmail.com Certainly not a terrible runner! Thanks
"Man is this true!
We had women that were the 2nd and 3rd women on their HS teams getting full tuition. Meanwhile we had guy scrapping for book scholarships and they were regional and state champions.
It's a situation where you have huge depth on the men's side, paper thin depth on the girls side, but huge amounts of money set aside marked "for girls only"."
This is only partially true. For guys, the money went to football. You have benchwarmers taking basketweaving that got the money. Find a school without football.
dont think that email works
I'm sorry! jthomas5607@hotmail.com Thanks
still invalid email...must be a joke
Now I am really sorry. Try jthomas5607@outlook.com I don't use it much and thought it was still hotmail!
I did get 1 email soon after fixing my email. Sorry for the email goof!
i dont understand the D1 or bust" thing. if you can get a scholarship somewhere whether it be d2 or NAIA or whatever go for it. plus if youre a fringe D1 runner. youll probably be more motivated there. chances to make the national championship and what not. but D1 also has a such a huge range. really depends on the school. i know D1 runners with scholarships who arent even very good. and then i know some without scholarships who are extremely talented cause theyre at good running schools