<p>Anyone know how good harvard's track program is, namely the distance program? I'm a junior right now who runs 4:41 for the mile. Say I finish my season with a hypothetical 4:38, I know it won't make any waves(recruit), but could I be considered for a walk-on? Could the coach give me that extra push to get accepted? My stats would be competitive without track (2/150,2190, 750+ on 3 SATII's), but I would like to run for the team, and i'm wondering if this would help make it less of a crapshoot. I plan on contacting the coach after spring track is over, but any advice before that would be appreciated. Thanks.</p>
<p>I posted this in the columbia forum too, but these are my 2 top choices. BTW, i plan on retaking the 2190 and taking 2 more SAT II's before the ED round.</p>
<p>Harvard distance program was neglected for the last few years, no recruiting to speak of. Still, there have been some excellent runners, Galebach and Barrett are seniors now, both good 5k types. There is a new coach, first year, and he is recruiting. Harvard is towards the bottom of a surprisingly competitive ivy league, time will tell if the new recruits are competitive. Just from Dyestat listing there appear to be at least 5 sub 4:30 1600 high school runners recruited this year, most of them are all-state types in either track, xc or both. Also, not on Dyestat, Chenoweth from Illinois is class of 2011. He has the third fastest HS 3200 time in the COUNTRY this year, 8:58, that is really flying. I can find 3200 times for the other recruits in the 9:15-9:35 range.</p>
<p>Bottom line, there is a lot more depth now with Saretsky recruiting. You might still be able to "walk on," but unlikely Saretsky will help with admissions. But you should email or call and introduce yourself, he will let you know.</p>
<p>alright, so potential walk ons don't really get much help from the coach i guess?</p>
<p>Also, by sub 4:30 types do you mean seniors? I could realistically go around there next year. If you're referring to juniors, then that's different lol.</p>
<p>lol, one more edit..TribecaMom, assuming Harvard has the lowest distance standards for an ivy(correct me if i'm wrong), what would be some strong academic(important) schools where someone of 4:40 skill level would fit in. I'm assuming I would have to start looking into DIII? Is MIT DIII? Would I have any chance there? Any other suggestions would be great. Thanks.</p>
<p>The sub 4:30 guys are all seniors in HS, to attend Harvard next year. All had much more to show as juniors than a 4:38 1600. Google and you will find all-state honors, dyestat elite times, etc. Most are top xc runners.</p>
<p>thanks tribeca, that's a really useful list. I see a lot of big name NJ kids headed for the ivies. I see that DI is probably a bit out of my league, but I'll talk to some coaches anyway to get some goal times to hit in xc, and do the best I can to reach them.</p>
<p>Would my times get me any influence at DIII schools? Or does recruiting kind of become non-existent at that level? Thanks again for your help</p>
<p>D3 can be very competitive, Williams, Haverford and the like. Recruiting is less structured than D1, but the coaches who want good teams recruit strongly. No official visits but the schools have recruiting weekends/visits and the like, you pay your own way. Top of the NESCAC and Haverford-like schools are probably out of your reach without strong improvement, but lots of other D3 schools might be interested in recruiting you. Maybe Dickinson or that level? Hamilton at the bottom of the NESCAC track world might work. MIT has a good team, coach is active recruiter, may be out of your range (for recruiting help) but contact the coach and see.</p>
<p>You could probably walk on most anywhere.</p>
<p>Excellent NJ runner Chris Southwick is Haverford bound, if you are from NJ you know he is as good or better than other NJ guys going to ivies. So D3 runs the gamut.</p>
<p>Do some homework on the school websites, lots of useful info about the teams, then contact the coaches.</p>
<p>Harvard is very good at the mile and other distance events. Their new coach is a distance runner and puts the emphasis on their distance. On the other hand, they don't even have one true 100m runner. Their high jumper, and a football player are the only ones to run it this year, and their times were poor. Don't count on distance, sprinting is their largest flaw though.They can't even put together a 4x100m mens team.</p>