I'm a high school junior who loves running and I'm considering the United States Coast Guard Academy. Can anyone share insights or experiences about their cross-country team? How competitive is it to join and how is the team culture?
The United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) is a great choice for any student who has strong interest in serving in the military, while also pursuing their academic and athletic passions. As with any NCAA Division III school, the cross-country program at USCGA is focused on developing well-rounded student-athletes.
Typically, the college cross-country running season starts with the pre-season in mid-August and ends in November with NCAA regional and nationals. The team usually participates in several meets each season including the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference championship.
From what I understand about the cross-country team there, it is fairly competitive to join, but they do encourage walk-ons. The competitiveness, of course, would depend upon the specific year and the talent/depth of the existing team. To get a sense of the kind of times you'd need to be competitive, you might consider looking up past meet results online to get a sense of the caliber of the current women's and men's teams.
Regarding the team culture, athletes often form close-knit communities and the USCGA is no exception. Balancing the demands of a military academy with college athletics can create a strong bond among team members, and they often become a second family on campus.
Lastly, it could be greatly beneficial to directly get in touch with the coaches at the academy. Discuss your interest with them and ask any further questions you may have. They'll have the most precise and updated information about the team and can provide insights on what you would need to do to prepare.
Remember, attending a military academy is an important decision and its implications go beyond athletics. Ensure you're equally motivated by the academic rigor and service commitment of the academy. Good luck!
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