I'm undecided on whether I should run for a division two or three college. I'm currently a junior and my PR's are 2:12 for 800, 4:49 for 1600, 10:13 for 3200, and 16:46 for 5K. I expect improvements in my senior year, but what would I need to participate at the D2 level, and how would D3 differ?
No scholarships in d3 I think. There will also be a scarcity of fast competition. Look at the last place team at the d2 and d3 national xc championship meets to see what kind of times you should be able to run.
As far as predicting your college freshman xc times, most people I know turned their highschool 5k PR into the 5k split of their freshman xc time.
Your 5k and 2 mile times should be good to walk onto a majority of d2 colleges, but it obviously depends on the schools, and what kind of runners a coach needs. Don't expect any scholarship money out of the gate though, you'll need to improve, and by how much depends on the coach.
Ok thanks. Really what I am looking for is just being fast enough to make the team. Scholarship money is not really my worry, although it would help. I'm already set up for some great academic scholarships. I'd say my times are on the low end for D2 but hopefully I can develop into a much faster runner.
I currently run for a D2 school that is routinely in the top 20 nationally. My HS PRs were 4:25, 9:27 and 15:38 (didn't run the 800). I'm on about 30% scholarship. If money isn't an issue (it was/is for me), I'd recommend D3 for the academics. Good luck.
If you care about Academics, pretty much your only good option in D2 is Colorado School of Mines, if you're into engineering.
There are tons of great academic D3 schools, very few good D2 schools.
Look at academic first, then athletics.
cool kid wrote:
If you care about Academics, pretty much your only good option in D2 is Colorado School of Mines, if you're into engineering.
There are tons of great academic D3 schools, very few good D2 schools
You're clearly forgetting about Chico.
Just kidding!
Leo1005 wrote:
I'm undecided on whether I should run for a division two or three college. I'm currently a junior and my PR's are 2:12 for 800, 4:49 for 1600, 10:13 for 3200, and 16:46 for 5K. I expect improvements in my senior year, but what would I need to participate at the D2 level, and how would D3 differ?
All schools are different, so check their rosters and see how good their runners are (cross check with milesplit if you have an account).
Most D3 schools could use a guy like you...especially if you drop those times next year as a senior. D2 schools would mostly have you walk on, but you could get some money from some bad ones. NAIA would be a choice too.