SUNY Buffalo XC and distance

Except that the DIII program down the street (Buffalo St) has better success developing athletes and has a deeper mid D crew without scholarships

I don't know the head coach personally, but from what I have heard he is pretty mean.

My friend was a decent runner in high school and ran 1:55 in the 800. He decided he was going to go to UB despite other scholarship opportunities. He talked to the coach was planning to join the team in the fall for xc. During his summer training he got injured and couldn't run until the week leading into their pre-season. He told the UB coach about this, but for some reason, the coach forced him to try out for the team knowing he was out of shape. Of course, my friend ran horribly and the coach decided to actually cut him from the team in the first week. It just seems like the coach completely wasted the talent of a 1:55 800 meter runner just because he got injured. The program there definitely isn't good enough to waste those types of runners.

Sadly, my friend quit running completely and my high school coach refuses to let anymore runners go there.

To the OP:

First, good luck with your senior year. You are entering an exciting time in your life and you face many big decisions. It's smart of you to seek as many opinions as possible.

Stay healthy this summer. Don't race. Log good, steady mileage and show up healthy and fit for XC. There is plenty of time to pound workouts and race when you're in season.

Regarding UB and Todd Witzleben, you should give both serious consideration. UB is definitely a program on the rise. You would be hard pressed to find a more enthusiastic and supportive coach than Todd. He loves running and is genuinely thrilled when his athletes succeed. I know him well and I can tell you that, next to the successes of family, noting fires him up more than one of his men or women running a PR. He cares about the mid-packers as much as the front runners. If you let him know you are willing to put in the work, he'll run through a wall for you.

Todd is more than just a cheerleader. He's an experienced champion. His resume at LaSalle speaks for itself. You'd be doing yourself a favor to listen closely to what he has to say. I don't know about you, but it's easier to take advice from someone who has done it himself or herself.

Yes, Todd will expect you to work hard. You will have to push through fatigue and "bad days" and he will not tolerate whining. No good coach will. If you expect to be coddled and praised for mediocre effort, UB is not the place for you. A good coach cannot be all things to all athletes. Not all of his athletes have succeeded. But show me a man who is all things to all people and I will show you a fraud.

School records and conference championships are not the ultimate measure of a program, but it is worth noting that Todd has brought UB both. Ultimately, you must pick a program (and a school) that fits your personality. If you love running, are willing to work, and want to attend a cost-effective and well-respected university, give UB a look.

Good luck and check in with your future successes.

~Kevin Burke