Yesterday I got the chance to sit down and have a conversation with the head cross country coach of Kansas State University Michael Smith, the distance coach at Harvard University Priscilla Bayley and the sprints coach at Army Rondell Ruff and ask them: "What do you look for in a high school athlete when recruiting and what can high school athletes do to help themselves in the recruiting process?" Below, I paraphrased their answers the best I could.
Michael Smith (KSU): Be passionate about the sport. Worry about what you can manage, your running, and the rest will fall into place. There is little scholarship money in our sport and someone who focuses on that aspect is not in it for the right reasons. Find a school that fits your needs. All college coaches are good at what they do, but not all have the same training beliefs.
Pracilla Bayley (HU): Grades are important! Although, when I watch someone run, I look for mechanics and for someone who "wants it" at the end of a race. An athlete who wins constantly, even at a lower level, shows they have the possible tools, but most importantly the mind set to win.
Rondell Ruff (Army): We are getting a certain kind of athlete at Army, but number one, they got to have the grades. Second, I look for someone who is hungry....is a fighter. Some who can gut it out and gives everything in a race.
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