Man, I am trying so hard to walk-on to Wisconsin's track team so to see this video gave me a positive reassurance that I am not alone in the struggle. I got the Posse Scholarship so I got matched to Wisconsin, but I am a 4:19.95 miler, 9:14.50 3200m, and 15:06 XC runner, so I thought I had a realistic shot of walking on and even matched their 3200m recruitment standard. I am trying to package myself to the coach along the lines of 'hey I am here anyway and I am not asking for money and can keep up if not be in your top 7'. Still, I think the coach is hesitant on me because I am an incoming freshman from California and I am yet to meet him. He told me that he cannot offer me a spot yet because there is no room on their roster. Still, He told me to continue training until I reached "my full potential"--I reckon he doesn't want to give me a specific time he wants me to run so that I do not set boundaries or place limits on my potential, but it is kinda frustrating. I just love the team and their team culture so much that I am willing to do anything to be on the team and I know I just need to be patient and persistent, but it is just so conflicting. Thank you man! You got a new subscriber. You are an inspiration
Hey Alejandro, that’s awesome to hear how committed you are to wanting to walk on at Wisconsin. I felt similarly the summer leading into my fall semester. Keep working hard, stay consistent, and most importantly healthy. Im sure you’d be a great addition to the program with the attitude you have. Stay persistent and good luck!
Very thoughtful and well organized. Hope it worked out for you given the video is 3 yr old. I walked onto a D1 team 30+ years ago and it was a lot easier (wrote letters to 12 coaches, heard from 4).
Hello Christian. Hell of a story. I would love to talk more about it with you. Because this inspired me to wanting to walk on to my team at ASU. Would love to connect
Thanks for the support! It’s dependent on each college. Most colleges will have some tryout format but if it’s an elite running school they might have time standards before they consider giving you a tryout. First step would be to reach out to the coach and introduce yourself and go from there. Good luck!
I got a question about walking on a d1 college team. Some schools I look up their time standards and see there’s a recruit column and a walk on column. I see for recruit the times are slower than the walk on times. Shouldn’t this be the opposite since walk on is lower priority. Also if I meet these times, is there an actual tryout where you have to run that time again? Or do you just hope that the coach brings you in? Not sure how that part works. If you are able to respond to this that would be great. Thanks🙏🏻
It really depends on the coach. They have the ultimate say if someone makes the team. They’ll most likely want you to tryout regardless if you’re close to the time to see how you compete but reach out to them first and give them a brief background on your running times and inquire about the process. Be patient because they’re very busy!
I'm a freshman at UC Berkeley and trying to walk on to their track team, I sent the coaches and email many months ago and they haven't responded. I'm still continuing my training, though. Any ideas and what I can do from here?
Things are a lot different now given the virtual environment but I would send a follow up email and update them on your training. Once things go back in person you should try and find their on-campus office and introduce yourself in person
Most universities will expect you to do a tryout in your specific event. I would reach out to your university's jump coach but I would make sure to your marks are relative to other athletes on the team
I’m a senior in high school (only my 2nd year running) and my 800 is 9 to 10 seconds where it needs to be to earn a d2 spot if scholarship are available but I have received many d3 offers would it be wise to go d3 then try to transfer or shoot for the starts?
I would focus on finding a program that fits the best for you. I wouldn’t be so focused on trying to make D2 if there’s a great D3 school that matches what you’re looking for academically and athletically
I’d like to walk on eventually to my schools team too. What times did you get for the 3200 during hs? Did you train solo or with the club team during your first two years?
I only ran the 3200 on doubles but my personal record was from freshman year when I ran 9:57. I was more of a 1600 guy and didn’t really run the 3200. I didn’t start running again until sophomore year and only trained solo. If you can find training partners it’ll make it easier but not entirely necessary!
Covid messed up my sophmore season than I got out of shape and did horrible my junior year and senior year I missed try outs so now I’m back in the gym , how do u try out once u r in college?
I am also a long distance runner looking to walk on but I’m not sure how to get a tryout or when that tryout would be. Do you have any thoughts on this?
If you haven't already, I would reach out to your university's cross country coach. Make sure to do your research beforehand and see if your times are reasonable compared to the athletes on the team!
Man, I am trying so hard to walk-on to Wisconsin's track team so to see this video gave me a positive reassurance that I am not alone in the struggle. I got the Posse Scholarship so I got matched to Wisconsin, but I am a 4:19.95 miler, 9:14.50 3200m, and 15:06 XC runner, so I thought I had a realistic shot of walking on and even matched their 3200m recruitment standard. I am trying to package myself to the coach along the lines of 'hey I am here anyway and I am not asking for money and can keep up if not be in your top 7'. Still, I think the coach is hesitant on me because I am an incoming freshman from California and I am yet to meet him. He told me that he cannot offer me a spot yet because there is no room on their roster. Still, He told me to continue training until I reached "my full potential"--I reckon he doesn't want to give me a specific time he wants me to run so that I do not set boundaries or place limits on my potential, but it is kinda frustrating. I just love the team and their team culture so much that I am willing to do anything to be on the team and I know I just need to be patient and persistent, but it is just so conflicting. Thank you man! You got a new subscriber. You are an inspiration
Hey Alejandro, that’s awesome to hear how committed you are to wanting to walk on at Wisconsin. I felt similarly the summer leading into my fall semester. Keep working hard, stay consistent, and most importantly healthy. Im sure you’d be a great addition to the program with the attitude you have. Stay persistent and good luck!
Very thoughtful and well organized. Hope it worked out for you given the video is 3 yr old. I walked onto a D1 team 30+ years ago and it was a lot easier (wrote letters to 12 coaches, heard from 4).
Walk on gang 😤
Congrats on walking on! Seems like you really put in the work. Great content!
Hello Christian. Hell of a story. I would love to talk more about it with you. Because this inspired me to wanting to walk on to my team at ASU. Would love to connect
Happy to chat. Feel free to dm me at christian_medina on IG
informative and to the point. thanks!
d1 lets go bby
Hey great video! I have a question! Is there like a public tryouts for every track team in college?
Thanks for the support! It’s dependent on each college. Most colleges will have some tryout format but if it’s an elite running school they might have time standards before they consider giving you a tryout. First step would be to reach out to the coach and introduce yourself and go from there. Good luck!
I got a question about walking on a d1 college team. Some schools I look up their time standards and see there’s a recruit column and a walk on column. I see for recruit the times are slower than the walk on times. Shouldn’t this be the opposite since walk on is lower priority. Also if I meet these times, is there an actual tryout where you have to run that time again? Or do you just hope that the coach brings you in? Not sure how that part works. If you are able to respond to this that would be great. Thanks🙏🏻
It really depends on the coach. They have the ultimate say if someone makes the team. They’ll most likely want you to tryout regardless if you’re close to the time to see how you compete but reach out to them first and give them a brief background on your running times and inquire about the process. Be patient because they’re very busy!
I'm a freshman at UC Berkeley and trying to walk on to their track team, I sent the coaches and email many months ago and they haven't responded. I'm still continuing my training, though. Any ideas and what I can do from here?
Things are a lot different now given the virtual environment but I would send a follow up email and update them on your training. Once things go back in person you should try and find their on-campus office and introduce yourself in person
Hey, I'm also thinking of walking on to Berkeley's track team. Did you end up getting a response, or are you on the team yet?
what if you do jumping events do you still have to do the same tryouts?
Most universities will expect you to do a tryout in your specific event. I would reach out to your university's jump coach but I would make sure to your marks are relative to other athletes on the team
I’m a senior in high school (only my 2nd year running) and my 800 is 9 to 10 seconds where it needs to be to earn a d2 spot if scholarship are available but I have received many d3 offers would it be wise to go d3 then try to transfer or shoot for the starts?
I would focus on finding a program that fits the best for you. I wouldn’t be so focused on trying to make D2 if there’s a great D3 school that matches what you’re looking for academically and athletically
I’d like to walk on eventually to my schools team too. What times did you get for the 3200 during hs? Did you train solo or with the club team during your first two years?
I only ran the 3200 on doubles but my personal record was from freshman year when I ran 9:57. I was more of a 1600 guy and didn’t really run the 3200. I didn’t start running again until sophomore year and only trained solo. If you can find training partners it’ll make it easier but not entirely necessary!
Covid messed up my sophmore season than I got out of shape and did horrible my junior year and senior year I missed try outs so now I’m back in the gym , how do u try out once u r in college?
You must enter a marathon and place top 10 sub 2:30 minimum.
I am also a long distance runner looking to walk on but I’m not sure how to get a tryout or when that tryout would be. Do you have any thoughts on this?
If you haven't already, I would reach out to your university's cross country coach. Make sure to do your research beforehand and see if your times are reasonable compared to the athletes on the team!