Women's Track and Field & XCC Recruiting

Recruiting help to save you money.
If your student-athlete needs to get evaluated by college coaches for scholarship consideration and to sign with a college program, our GUARANTEED College Matching Program is right for you!

TOP 5 RECRUITING THINGS TO DO


1. Develop a recruiting plan and get evaluated by a third party.

What are you currently doing to get evaluated for college scholarships?  What results has your current plan produced?  If you are not currently being contacted by college coaches at least once per week, then you are not being actively recruited.   

You need to be evaluated by as many college coaches nationwide as possible to maximize your scholarship opportunities and securing a college roster spot immediately!   Attending several camps and showcases also increases your evaluation exposure to coaches.


 2. Create your FREE MyScoutingReport NOW! 

Online profiles are the fastest way for college coaches to evaluate a prospects academic qualifications, athletic attributes, highlight/game videos, review game schedules, news articles and how to contact you.   Create your FREE MyScoutingReport immediately for scholarship evaluation by college coaches nationwide!

 

3. Take charge of your game, highlight, or skills video!

DO NOT wait around for someone else to burn game DVD's or edit a highlight video for you!  Take control of your recruiting process by taking action each day until your video(s) are complete and accessible by college coaches.   


4. Be realistic about your projected college level. 

Too many college prospects get focused on competing ONLY for major NCAA Division I programs, that they miss out on opportunities to compete at a lower level and possibly on a scholarship.   


5. DO NOT LIMIT YOURSELF! 

Time and again college prospects limit themselves to only wanting to compete at a certain level, local area, in-state, U.S. region or certain conferences.  The fact of the matter is that college coaches get to choose which players they want on their roster and which to offer scholarships to.  It's not the players or parents that choose...once again, it's the college coaches.  By limiting yourself to only certain areas for recruitment, you can bet your life that there will be some college coach around the country that could use a student-athlete like you!   

MEN'S TRACK & FIELD/XCC RECRUITING FAQ


1. When does recruiting begin for track and cross country?

Coaches are looking to see your progress. Recruiting starts early. Consistency and seeing you reach your PRs are important to collegiate coaches. For high jumpers and sprinters, you want to aim to reach your highest PRs around sophomore year. For distance runners, coaches are watching your strides and consistency in your PRs.


2. What divisions should I consider for track recruiting?
Target all the divisions. The level of training, funding and commitment expected from student athletes vary by divisions. Division I and some Division II programs tend to have a high commitment level. Keep all your options open at each division level.


3. How do I get discovered?
College coaches can recruit prospects on third-party evaluations from a trusted neutral source like AASR.  If you don't have a discoverable or marketable profile for college coaches to evaluate, then they won't know about you.  Remember, if college coaches are not calling you at least once per week, then  YOU ARE NOT BEING ACTIVELY RECRUITED!  Whatever you have been doing to get evaluated by college coaches has not been working, then it's time to change your strategy!



4. What is some advice on scheduling an official visit?
Work on scheduling your first trip in the fall of your senior year. You want to make sure its not interfering with your season. Some colleges may ask you to pay your expenses on an official visit due to budget constraints at times. Continue to communicate with coaches and express your level of seriousness and interest in their program.


5. What can I expect my first day of college practice?
Collegiate practices are significantly different from high school. You might be intimidated at times, but remember to take it a practice at a time. Communicate with your coaches and reach out to upperclassmen. After awhile, you’ll adjust and do well.

                           WHAT ARE COLLEGE TRACK & FIELD/XCC

                                       COACHES LOOKING FOR?


AASR’s track and field recruiting guidelines show a women’s track recruit exactly what level of competition she’s best suited for based upon her times, jumps or throws. Knowing where you stand can help you create a realistic list of possible schools, which can save you plenty of time when trying to earn a women’s track scholarship.  AASR’s recruiting guidelines show what women’s track coaches at each collegiate level are looking for. The guidelines also give a women’s track recruit an overview of exactly how many track scholarships and college women’s track programs (NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA) are out there to choose from.

 

Grades: 3.0 GPA + 24 ACT + 1000 SAT 


TRACK & FIELD




CROSS COUNTRY
NCAA DINCAA DIINCAA DIII/NAIANJCAA
5KUnder 20:15Under 21:45Under 22:45Under 23:75
10KUnder 37:45Under 41:45Under 45:45Under 46:45

                              TRACK & FIELD/XCC SCHOLARSHIPS


There are over 1,000 college track and field programs.  Each division level has a different number of track scholarships they can give out each year.  The vast majority of track scholarships are given as partials, but there is always the chance you can get a full scholarship if you find the right program.  The NCAA combines Track & Field and Cross Country scholarships, as well as NAIA and NJCAA programs that have both sports.

There are nearly 1,400 college cross country programs.  Thousands of athletes have 5K times that are good enough to compete at the college level.  Runners who succeeded in earning a scholarship found the right fit and showed the desire to compete for that team.  


                                  TRACK & FIELD                                             CROSS COUNTRY

                     PROGRAMS        SCHOLARSHIPS                   PROGRAMS        SCHOLARSHIPS

NCAA I:               321                          18                                        333                        18    

NCAA II:              178                         12.6                                      260                       12.6  

NCAA III:             283                            0                                        394                          0

NAIA:                  168                           12                                        212                        12

NJCAA:               136                           30                                       185                         30

TOTAL:             1016                                                                     1386


NCAA III:  Do not offer athletic scholarships, but offer academic scholarships and financial aid.    

WOMEN'S TRACK & FIELD / XCC RECRUITING CALENDAR


Freshmen Year

  • Research 2-3 schools per week
  • Create a list of prospective schools consider both athletics and academics
  • Attend camps with the goals of honing your skills and to gain exposure 

Rules/Tips to Remember:

  • Coaches are watching your development throughout high school at camps, in school and on the field
  • DI and DII coaches can’t personally contact you until Junior year 
  • DIII and NAIA coaches can contact you at anytime
  • Important to do be familiar with the school both athletically and academically

 

Sophomore Year

  • Film your highlights tape
  • Get an evaluation of your skills tape
  • Continue to research prospective schools
  • Fill out questionnaires 


Rules/Tips to Remember:

September 1st is the first day DI and DII coaches can send you personalized letters and emails

 

Junior Year

  • Film your highlights tape
  • Ask coaches where you stand on their recruits list
  • Fill out questionnaires
  • Join camps or clinics to hone skills and gain exposure
  • Respond to EVERY coach
  • Make unofficial visits to schools
  • Narrow down your prospective schools list

 

Rules/Tips to Remember:

  • If you haven’t heard from DI coaches, start reaching out to DII, DIII and NAIA programs
  • Junior year Spring - DI coaches will start making offers

 

Senior Year

  • Make official visits – only allowed 5
  • Send coaches your season schedule
  • Follow-up with coaches and respond in a TIMELY manner
  • Apply to the schools- applications
  • Apply for Financial Aid- FAFSA.ed.gov starting Jan. 1st
  • Sign and Commit to a school and program (Signing period is Feb. 1-Aug. 1)
  • Find out the summer workout schedule
  • Get ready for an experience of a lifetime 

WOMEN'S TRACK & FIELD / XCC VIDEO INSTRUCTIONS

How to Film

  • Film from the closet location possible to the event.
  • If possible, station the camera on a tripod to keep it steady
  • The camera view should not be obstructed (people in stands, etc)
  • Focus on the athlete being taped so that they are clear and in focus, but not too close!