Online Running Log

I was just wondering what is considered a pretty competitive HS time for a 5K/1600/800 that starts getting colleges interested in recruiting me

kfitz16 wrote:

Getting the attention of colleges?

I don't know, but probably a 16:00 5k, 4:20 1600, and 2:00 800.

But these are more for if you are talking about scholarships.

Yea I was talking about scholarships, thanks!

ddarkstar wrote:

D2 or D1?

D1

If you are looking at D1, 4:20 milers and 9:20 two milers are a dime a dozen (Check out a yearly high school list. MileSplit.com lists 268 high schoolers under 9:20 last year).  If you want to attract the attention of colleges, you probably need to be in the 1:52/4:10/9:05 range (top 50 times in the country). 



If you are not in those ranges, you need to go recruiting colleges rather than waiting for them to come recruiting you.  A 9:20 runner might get some scholarship aid at less competitive D1 schools and such a runner could contribute to the team.  A 9:20 runner will probably be allowed to walk on at a big program, but don't expect scholarship money unless you get a lot better in college and you have a coach that rewards that improvement.



If you aren't at that level, take a look at D2 or D3.  Those schools have some very good coaches, particularly the top programs in those divisions, and they also provide the opportunity for fairly good runners to compete all 4 years.  A 9:40 runner might be able to get scholarship money for a D2 program and also have a chance to evolve into a runner who is competitive at the conference and regional levels.  [Also note that any running scholarships, even for the studs, are usually only partial scholarships, maybe covering tuition OR room OR board, but not all of those unless you are a Footlocker champion or something]

Perhaps and perhaps not.  A 9:20 guy might get some attention beyond the local coaches, a 4:20 guy probably will not, given that there were more than 600 of those in the country last year.  I guess one of my key points is: don't sit back and wait for coaches to call you, because they may not.  You have a lot better chance of getting recruited if you make the first contact. 



The other question to be answered is "what type of program do you want to run for"?  I ran for a midlevel D1 school back in the day.  The dream was to qualify for nationals.  The reality was that we could get 9:20 guys (dime a dozen) but that is not good enough to take a team to nationals.  If you want to live the dream of competing at the national level, you need to be really good.  If you want to run for a medicore D1 team and get a scholarship, maybe you don't have to be quite as good.  If you want to be recruited by a really good team, you need to let them know you are interested and then you have to convince them you are good enough.



And, yeah, brains go a lot farther than brawn if you a looking for a way to pay for college.

I am a sixteen high 5K, runner, but I am sophomore. Goals for this year in track are a 1:58 800 and a 4:20-25 mile.So I think some of these times are realistic IF I work hard enough, of course.Thanks for all of the input, it does help, and is nice and motivating!

trackiegurrl wrote:

what would be the times that I would need to get recruited by a competetive DI school in girls 200/400/800/1600/5k?

First of all, that's a pretty big variety of events. I find it hard to believe that you are at the same level for the 200 as you are at the 5k.

But as for the times, I've looked around a bit and it seems like, if you're talking about attracting D1 attention, 24 in the 200, 55 in the 400, 2:10 in the 800, 4:50 in the mile, and ~17:00 in the 5k would be good. (These are based on last year's best times, with a little time added to each.)

Yeah, you need to be more than ok at those events to attract attention, especially since there are so many sprinters out there.