Dustin Horter:
I think going into the recruiting process, you have to be yourself and you have to be very honest with the people recruiting you. I️ know for me I️ grew up a lot during the process, asking the tough questions and at some points getting out of my comfort zone, but that's what it took for me to get the information I️ needed to make my decision. I looked for a school that was not only good at running, but provided an education I could use beyond the track and my collegian career.
Shuaib Aljabaly:
Throughout the recruiting process things to look for is how well you fit in and how comfortable the environment would be for you. I've learned about how all of the runners as freshmen find their way to do things and how long it takes to settle in. Before the process I wish I knew the background of the team and coaches and what they've done in the past. Some advice for seniors is to not stress about the decision and to make sure and look at all factors on every side before making a decision. And also leave the college stuff alone and focus on championship season when it gets towards the end of a season.
Seth Eliason:
One thing that I have learned in the recruiting process is that taking in the whole college environment is very important. I feel like some kids go into it looking for a good program and for the gear. What people should really look for is what will help them develop not only as a runner but as a student and a young adult as well.
I wish I would have known that making your college decision is something that can take time. I felt like I had to make my decision as soon as possible, but this was not true at all.
Getting recruited is a very cool experience. Getting the emails, phone calls, and letters is very honoring. The biggest part of getting recruited is putting in hard work. Get your times down and the coaches will be interested. And don't be afraid to reach out! Coaches love to see that you have interest in their school and program.
When I went into the recruiting process I was looking for a school that would benefit me as a runner and in my future life. I wanted a school that was well rounded in both because being a STUDENT athlete is the key.
Charlie Lawrence:
Best advice I would give is make sure you know what kind of program and coach you want! And from the get go you have to buy into the system and believe in the process. If the coach recruiting you lays it out there for you and it sounds good buy in, and be ready to embrace the journey.
Hassan Mead:
What's the most important thing for people going through the recruiting process to know?
It's honestly pretty simple. For young kids who are getting attention from D1 schools it can be pretty overwhelming. You've really got to feel comfortable with the program, the staff, the process, etc. It's important to keep those things in mind during the process and find a place where you have those things.
What did you consider and look for throughout your recruiting process?
For me I was thinking: What program is going to make me better? Do I fit in here? Am I going to be able to put my head down, grind, and contribute? How do I feel about the coach, his style, etc. You have to be comfortable with the environment and the coach if you want to find a place where you can succeed.
For runners who may not be high school superstars, what advice would you give them?
Honestly, it's not much different. It's just about putting in the work. That's what running is. You have to trust in the development. Not everybody can come in and be the freshman star. You've got to put in the work, stay as healthy as you can, and trust that the development will come.
Carrie Tollefson:
What are a few things that you would say are most important to consider when going through the recruiting process?
On my visits, I wanted to feel like I would love it even if running was taken away from me. Injuries and sports don't mix really well so I wanted to feel at home even without my sport.
I also wanted the team to become my family. I knew I was going to be far away from home and needed both my teammates and coaches to be accessible and also like my family.
Lastly, I wanted to go somewhere that fit my lifestyle. If the team tried to treat me to ways of life that didn't quite fit my lifestyle I didn't want to go there. For example, when I went to Villanova, we partied by ordering pizza and watching great TV!
What did you, personally, most value/look for when you were going through the process?
I really liked most of the coaches recruiting me but what I liked the best about my Villanova coaches was that they wanted to make sure I felt valued and that my life as a runner was only going to get better.
I wanted to see the proof of success!
I didn't want to see eating disorders or disordered eating on the team.
Team chemistry.
Focus and drive.
If you could have done something different looking back, what would it be? What advice would you give an aspiring collegiate runner?
I wouldn't change much except for one thing. I wouldn't be so hard on myself. I wanted to set the world on fire as a freshman and I needed to ease my way back into the sport at a new level again. It took me awhile to remember how to run in a pack. To not panic when people passed me. To finish further back then I had in years. By the end of the season I still wasn't winning but I could taste it. My coaches had to sit me down, my parents had to talk me through it, and it took a lot of energy for me to realize it is a process. Enjoy that new process! It is amazing.
Craig Engels:
Go to the school where you fit in with the team the best and agree with the coaching system. Don't choose a school based on their past and how "rich their history is." It's a lot more fun to build a dynasty than to join one. You get much more fulfillment.
Mason Ferlic:
What you learned throughout the whole process?
There is no right or wrong choice. There are a lot of pros and cons for every school and situation and the best decision is the one you are most happy with. Sometimes you just gotta go with your gut. If it feels right, it probably is right.
What you wish you knew before the whole process began:
Educate yourself on the NCAA rules- especially scholarship rules. Talking financials with coaches can be tough so it's better to understand what can and can't be done.
Advice for aspiring runners looking to get recruited:
Coaches primarily recruit based off the descending order list of track times so running well your junior year is key. Cross country performances are evaluated based off of place so race big names and meets like NXN. Racing good competition and chasing fast times are the best ways to get noticed. If you're interested in a particular school fill out that program's recruiting questionnaire and send the coaches a concise email with relevant information. First step is to establish communication, then build a relationship with that coach. Get to know them as they could be a big part of your life.
How you approached the process and what you looked for:
I wanted to run for a top-notch athletic program as well as attend a world-class academic institution. The University of Michigan checked all those boxes. After my official visit I knew it was the place for me. It was a gut feeling really. I couldn't have been happier with my choice. Some of the best advice I received was if you happened to no longer be running collegiately, would you still be happy and satisfied at that school? Make sure the school offers things outside of just athletics.