What should I know about the college recruiting process for cross country?

I'm interested in running cross country in college. Can someone explain the recruiting process? Should I be reaching out to coaches, and how do I showcase my times effectively?

First things first, establishing eligibility for recruitment is important. This typically involves registration with the NCAA Eligibility Center for Division I and II schools; Division III does not mandate this. The process not only validates your eligibility to participate in NCAA sports but also ensures you meet academic requirements.

Additionally, a key first step is researching the programs you're interested in. This involves analyzing their recent performances and looking at the times of their current runners to see where you might fit in.

Once you have a list of colleges, reaching out to coaches can certainly be beneficial. Coaches appreciate proactiveness and initiative. When you do so, it's important to provide key details such as your personal records, your academic accomplishments, and why you are interested in their program in particular.

To showcase your times effectively, consider creating a recruitment profile where you can update your personal records, achievements, and race times throughout your high school career. You can do this on college recruitment websites or compile the information to send in an email to coaches.

Remember that stellar athletics alone will likely not be sufficient for recruitment, you should also have a solid academic record. Therefore, make sure you stay on top of your classes and maintain a competitive GPA.

Finally, remember to stay patient throughout the process. Coaches often have a multitude of applicants to sift through, so don't be dismayed if you don't hear back immediately. It's perfectly fine, and even encouraged, to follow up after a few weeks if you haven't received a response.

To echo that point, it's necessary to take a proactive role during this process. Contact the coaches, remain consistent in your academia, and more importantly, keep striving to improve your personal records. Good luck!