Re: Didn't start running until HS junior year. Did I start too late for a scholarship?

It depends on what you run your Sr year. You need sub 1:55 and/or sub 4:20 to get looked at regarding any kind of athletic scholarship. Good luck

Thanks for the post! But will it be too late for colleges to accept me?

It depends on when you hit your times (early in the year or late) and when the deadlines are for applications. Many state schools accept people through May 1st, so that would give you a lot of time.

My recommendation would be to pick some schools you want to go to, just because you want to go to them. Apply this fall/winter. Then see if you can get into those schools and the last step will be to see if you can run at those schools.

Scholarships are great, but they are not everything, and there are not many of them out there for runners. Often a student will do better to pick the school that is a good deal and not get a scholarship than to go to a slightly more expensive school and get a scholarship. So, yeah, it depends.

No, not at all. It's amazing what happens as far as accpetance if they want you. I started running, like you as a Jr after playing basketball as Frosh and Sophmore. I didnt run "fast" until the late spring/summer of my Sr year. My coach got calls from schools in June. I got tons of letters in July/August of that year.

Also, while it is possible you could get everything done in that time frame, it is also possible that all the schools you are interested gave out all their scholarships before the last days. Remember, they're trying to get the best people possible, so that means giving offers early.

I had a college teammate who started running the spring of his junior year in HS. He ended up running 4:16 for the 1600 as a senior and somewhere around 15:30 for 3 miles XC. While he didn't receive a scholarship offer to our school out of HS, the coaching staff got him in to the school (he probably wouldn't have on his own). Three years later he was a division 1 All-American and a sub 4 miler. He was gradually upgraded from being a recruited walk on to having a full scholarship.

You should keep in mind that it is very hard to get a significant amount of scholarship money as a male runner. Title IX has seen to it that female runners get a disproportionate number of scholarships, especially at schools with football programs. This happens because the scholarship numbers need to balance out between male and female athletes throughout the entire athletic department and there is no NCAA women's football. Therefore, male track athletes are competing for fewer scholarship spots than their female counterparts. You should focus on running as fast as you can and find a program that offers you a chance to prove yourself. Most good coaches will offer you scholarship dollars later if you prove to be indispensable like my aforementioned teammate.

Also, make sure you choose a school where you are happy regardless of your involvement in athletics. Too many kids pick a school for their Track and Field program and then go there and get injured or otherwise lose interest in the sport. Find a place where you are happy academically, socially and athletically. Good luck!

Wow really?

I thought the "national signing day" was like May 1st or whatever.

That's smasing, good for him! And yeah I've researched the "12.6" full scholarships to be spread around the runners, this in turn, very competitive. Thanks for the long response, gives me a lot of insight towards how I can get into running for a college.

It's just very scary as I want college coaches to realize my potential, and I'm scared most coaches won't notice me simply bevause my times aren't as fast as an experienced runner.

Its not when or how you start, its the time they give you when you finish.

" I'm scared most coaches won't notice me simply bevause my times aren't as fast as an experienced runner."

Good one! I thought your "immense potential" comment was funny, but this one tops it.

If you don't mind sharing, what colleges interest you? Are you looking to go major conference D1 or are you also interested in smaller D1 schools and/or D2/3? It will be harder to get the attention of coaches at the bigger, more successful programs. The fact that you are relatively new to the sport will actually be seen as a positive by a lot of coaches. It means that you are an untapped talent and you don't have too many preconceived notions about training and or bad habits that will work against their plans for you. An earlier poster mentioned getting down to at least 1:55/4:20 which are probably good benchmarks for a lot of D1 programs. However, another way to get the attention of a coach is to tell them that you are interested. Send a brief email detailing your experience and your credentials. Do not come off as desperate or high maintenance. Instead, simply state who you are and then tell them that you are interested in their program and would like more information. If they get back to you that means that they are interested. If you have any personal note about the school it doesn't hurt to include that as well. As a point of reference, I sent out 15 letters during my junior year of high school. I got replies from 13 coaches that ranged from "when can we get you on campus next year for a visit" to "here is some information about our program...we would like to track your improvement over the course of this and next year." Don't be discouraged if they don't respond immediately. College coaches are busy people and they will get around to it if they think you have potential.

Buddy didn't run till XC Junior year. Wicked talented. Placed top 6 in state as a Junior, and state champ as a senior. Got a full ride to a noted D2 school, and became all-American there.

Very unusual, though. Place well track state as a Junior and XC state as a Senior and you'll get the attention you need. Placing well prior to that gets you on watch lists but won't close the deal. Placing well in track as a senior is too late to get a scholarship the next fall.

Win lose or draw, have fun with it. There's more to life than athletic scholarships. It's a journey, not a destination.

(Walked away from athletics after 2 years in D1.)

I have a friend that didnt start until junior year he ended up going to a juco then transferring to a D1 school. Now hes a kick ass professional track athlete it depends on what you want. if you have a specific school in mind you may or may not get a scholarship from them