When you’re a recruit for women’s track and field or cross country there are plenty of steps you can take to make the process easier. NCSA can help make sure that you do everything that you can to separate yourself from other women’s track recruits.
1. Develop your recruiting game plan and get evaluated by a third party. College women’s track coaches don’t have the budgets to travel and see a lot of potential recruits in person, so they rely heavily on times and evaluations provided by a trusted source like NCSA. Because NCSA is a neutral third party, we can provide honest answers about your skill level, and help you set realistic goals.
2. Post your athletic and academic resumes online. Women’s track recruits need to provide coaches with easy and organized access to times, statistics, academic information and track videos. NCSA has the largest digital platform available to high school athletes, making you visible to hundreds of college women’s track and field coaches.
3. Create an informative highlight video that shows your skills.
Because women’s track and field is about turning in the best times and distances, your statistics are what interest college coaches the most. But a highlight video is an important way to illustrate that you’ve got good technique.
- Sprinters: Feature your starts and show complete races to illustrate your form.
- Distance Runners: Show your starts and highlight your ability to be aggressive, to gain position, and to kick at the end of the race. Include two to three complete races.
- Cross Country Runners: Feature complete runs if you can. Cross country can be difficult to film, so also include footage of 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs if you have them.
- Jumpers: Choose several jumps that show your best form.Weights: Use footage that proves you’ve got excellent technique and form.
4. Get in touch with at least 25 college track programs. There are slightly more than 1,000 schools with track and field programs. Begin with a large list of potential colleges to help ensure that the perfect fit rises to the top when the women’s track recruiting process ends. Using NCSA’s digital space makes it easy to get your information to dozens of prospective colleges. Realize that the majority of college women’s track teams aren’t in Division I. Nearly 70% compete at the Division II, Division III, NAIA or junior college level.
5. Realize that it’s not a four-year decision. It’s a 40-year decision. Selecting a college is an extremely important decision. Do your research and make an educated choice, not only as a track recruit, but also as a student. Input from NCSA can help match you up with a school that’s an ideal fit.