Walking on for Cross Country at Penn State

Parents Forum
1

<p>My son is an accepted student at PSU UP in Engineering. He really is eager to continue a fairly successful high school career in distance running for CC/Track. While he is not a recruited runner for D1, I was wondering if anyone has walk on information for running and how it's done. He is getting quite a bit of interest from D3 schools (Washington & Jefferson, Allegheny) and some D2 programs as well. He was the District Champion and medaled at the State Cross Country meet (finished 16th). Does a coach have anything to lose by allowing someone with tremendous potential to walk on just to see how it might turn out? I would love to see him be able to purse his running, get great coaching and attend an excellent engineering program! Thanks so much for any advice.</p>

2

<p>I would try asking this also in the
Athletic forum:
<a href=“Athletic Recruits - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/athletic-recruits/&lt;/a&gt;
and the </p>

<p>Penn State forum:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/penn-state-university-park/”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/penn-state-university-park/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>I would also compare his best time against those on the team. If he is slower than all of them, then perhaps Club XC would be the way to go. <a href=“http://sites.psu.edu/clubsports/clubs/cross-country/”>http://sites.psu.edu/clubsports/clubs/cross-country/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>If his times are better than some, then why not contact the coach? But I have no experience.
He should be training like he was going to be on the team if he has a chance.</p>

3

<p>Bopper, thank you! Excellent advice!</p>

4

<p>Also check for club level running at his school. UW-Madison has this, as do other Big Ten schools- a CC/track club- they compete in various college meets that include D3 teams et al. It was a great way for son to keep up with his running while in college. UW’s track and CC teams are far too good for most HS stars to be competitive. The club sports, where team members pay their own entrance fees, get a school vehicle they can drive to meets, have use of an indoor facility, pay their other costs is a viable way to keep up with the sport in a competitive, group setting. </p>

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<p>I recommend weighing the flexibility of the club vs walk-on. Engineering is a difficult major with little wiggle room and multiple labs.<br>
With the club sport, if he encounters a week that will have multiple tests, then he could back-off of practice times.
On the flip side, D1 sports often have a special tutoring center and waivers for exam schedule if exam and sport event are close.</p>

<p>Any discussions with both the coach and the club should include questions about academic support and time commitments.</p>

6

<p>He should (note HE, not you) contact the CC coach and ask about walk ons. With emails this is an easy thing to do. He will get his questions answered so he will know if this is a possibility for him.</p>