<p>Oh I didn’t realize you were a sophomore. Those times look good for a sophomore, I was right around there as well, you need to work on that 5k, though. Obviously if your mileage has been fairly conservative you’ll have a lot of room to grow. By the time I was recruited I had run a 4:18 indoor mile, a 1:57 indoor 800, a 2:34 indoor 1000m and a 15:36 5k xc. </p>
<p>Seeing as you’re a rising junior, you definitely don’t need to start emailing coaches until about next winter or spring (I started during spring break). Just make sure to really sell yourself and let the coaches know how enthusiastic you are about the school. Don’t cut corners on your emails. Also, even if the initial responses to the emails aren’t positive keep at it, you’ll have about three seasons to improve before they really need to make a decision. </p>
<p>Good luck and most importantly, put in the work, especially during your summers.</p>
<p>thank you, very helpful advice! i’m most nervous about getting my 5k into an “acceptable” range… you accomplished that clearly. any advice on the 5k/3mile in particular? your mileage? and did you experience a jump in times from your soph to junior years? are my time goals reachable?(4:38 mile to around 4:20… 2:03 800 to around 1:57… and a 17:40 5k which was on little mileage to sub 16 5k?) and lastly, junior year track season is the season used for recruiting, correct? because senior year track would be too late… however can senior year XC be “used” in recruiting? sorry for all the questions.</p>
<p>I disagree. I think you should get in contact with the coaches and meet with them on your college visits in August. Put a name with a face. Keep in mind they understand your age and physical maturity and understand that you will improve as you get older and stronger. I began talking with coaches my Sophomore year and began forming relationships. Some of my teammates began too late and the admission sports were taken. Get your resume together to put in their hands. If you have not taken the SAT or ACT list your PSAT or PLAN scores. This all worked very well for me. Good luck!</p>