I’d be cautious about aggregating those three NESCAC schools in your approach.
Williams is currently 4th in the regional mens’ cross country poll. They get plenty of fast runners who can make the grade. I’d read the coach’s response as simply not discouraging your son’s application. There has been talk recently about limiting cross country walk-ons at Williams but I don’t know where that issue stands presently. I’d view Williams need as slight.
Hamilton on the other hand has just one soph XC runner and 2 frosh. I would view their need as great. I have no idea what that coach’s plan is, but he should be actively recruiting your son with frequent contacts and follow ups. That coach has been there awhile so I doubt he feels much pressure from the AD (who himself has been there awhile and should probably consider stepping aside).
Bowdoin is a wild card. Your son’s times make him competitive at Bowdoin but they really don’t seem to make much of an effort in XC recruiting and they generally communicate that the XC coach has little sway in admissions. They’ve also recently had a change in the AD administration which I’m told impacts this year (but I’m not told whether that change with be positive for prospective runners).
I wish your son good luck in his season. Have fun this year.
@oldchief78 That is very helpful. Thank you. Of course, I assume that Williams is the long shot of the group. The college is strong in S19’s two areas of interest (math and studio art) and he will submit a portfolio so I’m hoping his athletics/art/leadership in community service will spark some interest with the AOs. I totally get that running there would be more difficult but at least that coach got back to him. The Middlebury one never did and he is familiar with our high school since he took a runner from our team two years ago.
I agree about Hamilton. They’ve been trading emails but no offer to overnight yet. S19 meeting with the AO at our high school next week and will mention his interest in running so I guess we can also see if that gets back to the coach. The coach’s emails have been very friendly and positive but with nothing concrete to offer.
Bowdoin just got a new XC coach. S19 was corresponding with one coach this summer and then she sent him the name of the new coach this fall. He’s been updating him with new times, etc.
Have fun this year? Ha! Trying. S19 is crazy busy and his workload is nuts. I do check in and make sure he’s trying to enjoy his senior year. So far, so good but he just needs more sleep!
The other factor in terms of ‘soft support’, walk-ons, preferred walk-ons or whatever else you want to call it, is size of the team. Some schools keep a more limited roster than others, while some carry a lot more runners