By Lisa Luczak

Butler University

(Editor’s Note: Lisa Luczak was a student-athlete at Glenbard West High School in Glen Ellyn, IL graduating from the school this past June. Lisa earned all-state honors in cross country three times from 2012 to 2014. She gives high school athletes great insight on making your decision if you want to run at the next level after high school.)

For high school athletes, the grand college search can be both a euphoric and nerve racking experience. During this unique time, you are stuck between leaving the comfort of home and finding a new place where you belong. Running in college is a hard decision. Unlike other sports, choosing to run cross-country means you are agreeing to compete throughout the entire year instead of just one semester.  As a freshman D1 cross-country and track athlete, here is my advice for you before you make your final decision.

Why do you want to run?

If you are unsure of whether or not competing in college is best for you, make a list of the top ten reasons why you love to run. If you cannot come up with ten quality reasons, then you are better off joining a running club at school. Avoid answers such as: I want to be skinny or I am getting a scholarship to run; Running in college is a huge time commitment and is not worth the time or stress if you do not love the sport.

What do you want to get out of college?

Think about the big picture here. Unless you have a realistic goal of becoming a pro runner after college, then choose the school that best fits you outside of running. Ask yourself, would I be happy here if I could not run? Sadly in our sport, severe injuries happen all the time. A school that best fits your preference (size, majors, location, job placement, etc.) can help ensure that you still love the school even if you end up not running. I’m not saying to completely disregard running. Scholarships and a good team can definitely make the final decision easier, but overall you want to make sure that you like the school for the school.

Do you fit in?

If unsure whether you would be able to run for a college, email the coach. Usually they are happy to discuss with you if you would be a walk on or potential scholarship candidate. D1 and D2 schools are the only ones with athletic scholarships and those athletes get more privileges than those of a D3 college. If you are on the border for running at a D1 school, think about if you would be happy if you never were able to run in any varsity meets. If this is not the case, then you might want to consider going to a D2 or D3 and being one of the top contributors. There is also a broad range of D1 schools, where you may be able to walk on for one, but then be a scholarship athlete for another. My experience is that college athletes are always willing to talk, so if you have any questions, shoot them an email or Facebook message and most likely they will let you know more about their team.

What are the differences between high school and college running?

High school and college running can be really different. I cannot speak for D2 or D3 schools, but for D1 schools there is usually a lot more volume and intensity and you have to be motivated to do training on your own. In high school most teams are larger and there is a lighter atmosphere. In college there are fewer team members and the atmosphere is a lot more serious and competitive. In college the resources are amazing: trainers to help strengthen and get you back in shape after injury, academic centers and tutoring, and really awesome free gear. The exchange is that for competitive schools, they want running to pretty much be your life. The girls on the team become your main friends, and it is difficult to join many activities outside of running.

College running is not for everyone. If you decide that competitive running is not for you, colleges have running clubs and a ton of intermural sports to choose from. If you want to compete without high pressure then consider joining a D3 school. Every year college freshmen quit cross-country and track teams after realizing it is not what they expected. Really think about it before you decide, and if you realize that the sport is not for you after you join, you can quit. Running in college is hard, but being able to be a part of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is incredible. Personally, I am very blessed to have the opportunity to run for a great school because I would not change it for anything.