Not just in terms of success, but as far as stability, coaching staff, resources, atmosphere, and dedication to runners (though success doesn't hurt). Both public and private colleges would be great, and please rrspond as if admittance to these programs would be no object.
Thanks!
Colorado
NAU
University of Portland
University of Oregon
Each should be fine to get into so long as you are decent at academics. Each tends to have a good recruiting class each year.
In addition to that list, don't forget:
UW-Madison
Stanford
Oklahoma State
BYU (if other factors don't put off you off too much)
Thank you guys, this has been great so far, but I couldn't help but notice, there were no East Coast schools mentioned. While I know that running seems to be more of a West Coast thing, is it really that pronounced of a difference?
The difference is indeed pronounced, but here are some excellent distance running schools on the East Coast as well. Here are a few that come to mind:
In recent years, some of the Princeton and Columbia teams have been quite good, though they tend to be stronger in track than in cross country. NC State and Virginia have had some very good teams and individual runners, though Virginia might not be quite the same program (track-wise) with the departure of Jason Vigilante. Villanova, Penn State, and Syracuse typically put together excellent teams in both track and XC. Arkansas was a powerhouse in XC and track for many years, though I'm not really sure what the state of affairs is these days. I know Georgetown has an excellent women's program, but I'm not sure if their men are anywhere near as good. FSU has had some distance standouts over the years, though I think it's much stronger as a track program. And every now and then, Harvard will have one or two standouts.
Hopefully that isn't too much noise in the equation, but some places worth looking into.
Thanks, appreciate that.
Virginia Tech and Ole Miss are on an upward trajectory.
As is UNC, heard they have a good new coach
asdkfjkj wrote:
The difference is indeed pronounced, but here are some excellent distance running schools on the East Coast as well. Here are a few that come to mind:
In recent years, some of the Princeton and Columbia teams have been quite good, though they tend to be stronger in track than in cross country. NC State and Virginia have had some very good teams and individual runners, though Virginia might not be quite the same program (track-wise) with the departure of Jason Vigilante. Villanova, Penn State, and Syracuse typically put together excellent teams in both track and XC. Arkansas was a powerhouse in XC and track for many years, though I'm not really sure what the state of affairs is these days. I know Georgetown has an excellent women's program, but I'm not sure if their men are anywhere near as good. FSU has had some distance standouts over the years, though I think it's much stronger as a track program. And every now and then, Harvard will have one or two standouts.
Hopefully that isn't too much noise in the equation, but some places worth looking into.
Off the radar of so called big schools, look at Adams State in Colorado, one of the most consistent distance programs in the US. Colorado speaks for itself as a great program.
Actually UVA is better with the departure of Jason Vigilante. Overall they are a better distance running school.
While on that note, it seems that Princeton is not as good as when Dolan was there. Penn is right down the road and Dolan is a tremendous coach.
Marcus O'Sullivan at Villanova is another very good east coast coach.
Georgetown has an excellent tradition in the middle distances. This indoor season they had 4 guys go sub-4 in the mile in the same heat! They are also at XC nationals more often than not and have had some good success there. My list of the top distance running schools in the country would be: Oregon, Colorado, NAU, Stanford, Oklahoma State, Wisconsin, Syracuse, Portland, and Georgetown.