<p>How common is this? I am basically a D3 recruit now but believe I could improve substantially if given another year, and possibly be looked at seriously by D1 colleges, including Ivies. Does anyone have any thoughts about doing this in a slightly uncommon sport such as Cross Country/Track? Thanks!</p>
<p>Need times to evaluate.</p>
<p>I should be able to be around 16:40 or so by the end of this year for the 5k, but am maturing late, and I think I could get to around 15:40 during an extra year. Just a guess obviously, but I think it’s a pretty good estimate of where I would be at assuming good health.</p>
<p>If you don’t get into a college you want to go to, I’d look at this as an option. This is assuming you run a 9:15 3200 or faster in the spring. In XC, Ivies will want 15:20 or so, and hopefully qualifications for national meets. But I really think it’s only a good idea if you didn’t run your first year of high school and the PG year would be your fourth.</p>
<p>xcrunner - I think every track athlete thinks * next year *, if I train harder I can drop this much time, throw this much farther or jump this much higher. That’s a good thing, you need that sort of belief to spur you to train harder.
But I’d advise you to sit down with your coach or someone whose opinion you trust, to see if your time projections are realistic.</p>
<p>I honestly do not think it would be possible to get on to an ivy league coach’s radar unless you have a tremendous XC season, like a state champion caliber season and even then coaches like to see some good track times to complement it. Coaches by now already have their lists narrowed down to a dozen or so runners that they intend to invite on OV’s and they plan to support. Lots of XC times are bogus (courses tend to be short, and huge variability between courses) so high PLACING at state/national meets is imperative. I would be in touch with the IVY/D1 coaches of the colleges you intend to apply to and keep them up to date. Although you don’t have a lot of time before ED (when most ivy’s have their recruits apply), work hard to improve and maybe someone will see and take advantage of your potential. Some ivies still support athletes RD, so try to follow up a hopefully strong XC season with some nice PR’s in indoor track. Some goal times to hit track wise are: sub 4:20 1600 and sub 9:20 3200. Even if you don’t get recruited, get in contact with the coaches to see if you can walk on if you get in w/o their help. I don’t know of many runners who PG, but it could be an option if you don’t get into the schools you want to. Best of Luck!</p>
<p>^ I understand the issues with short courses (= fast times), but what is a D1 worthy time, D2, and D3 for XC? How much time improvement from year to year should there be? (I’m wondering where my S should finish his junior year - going into now.)</p>
<p>Is involvement in track an almost necessity for XC recruiting? S has issues with allergies in the spring, so does not get great times.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>