By Lizzie Larkins
When it comes to college admissions and recruiting, the process is daunting. As a former college coach and athlete, I’ve seen how difficult striking the balance between school, athletics, and other life factors is for student athletes. Growing up in Truckee allowed me to cultivate a love for being outside alongside my love of sport, which is why I chose to pursue skiing in college and beyond as a coach. The realm of college athletics and admissions felt competitive then and it still is now. The process is especially precarious when considering the immense pressure on teenagers during this time to have it all figured out.
The Tahoe/Truckee region has produced countless Olympians as well as professional and collegiate athletes. With incredible access to the outdoors and abundant opportunities to excel in athletics, prospective student athletes have the opportunity to pursue sports beyond high school. The approach to college recruiting in team sports such as football, soccer, or volleyball may depend more on position availability and team needs in comparison to individual sports like skiing, running, or swimming.
As winter sports athletes prepare for race season, it is important to go big in pursuit of your goals. But there are countless ways to engage in sport beyond college athletics, so who you are as an athlete is not defined by one race, one results sheet, or what team you’re on. It is defined by doing what you love in a capacity that’s realistic for you.
Although recruiting is competitive, there are a few key factors that prospective student-athletes from our area should keep in mind:
Find the school and the program: Coaches are looking for athletes who will fit their program just as much as you are considering the program’s fit for you. The best approach you can take as a prospective student athlete is to ask all the questions you need to get a sense of whether this program is right for you. Clearly express your interest level in the program. Coaches want to recruit athletes who want to be a part of their team and the university itself. Even if you are not reaching the recruiting standards, you can ask about walking onto the team and what that might entail. Opening the communication stream around where the school stands on your list allows coaches to communicate honestly about where you stand on their list. If this sounds like bad dating, that’s because there are some similarities.
Follow up: Just because you met with a coach does not mean communication is over. Follow up with a thank-you email or updated results or transcripts. Sincere communication allows you to stay on the coach’s radar. Even if you are telling a coach that you are sick or injured, this communication is important. Another tip is to include assistant coaches, recruiters, and coaches relevant to your position on all communication. This loops them in and will help your chances of staying top-of-mind as recruiting continues.
Find your why: Being clear on why you want to play sports in college is the best question you can answer for yourself. Do you want to do it so you can tell the world you are a D1 athlete? Is it a step on your path to the Olympics? Regardless of where you land on this question, it is important to get clear on the reasons why you want to pursue sports in college. Locating your non-negotiables in a program and at a school will help you navigate the unknowns in the recruiting process.
College sports are an amazing experience, and it is important to remember that progress is not linear. The grass is greenest where you water it, so it is in your best interest to define your needs and wants so you can make the most of the athletic experience.
~ Lizzie Larkins graduated from Truckee High School in 2016 and skied for the University of Vermont. She most recently completed a master’s in sport and coaching sciences while coaching at Montana State University. She lives in Bozeman, Montana, where she loves exploring on foot, skis, or mountain bike. She works with Throughline Guidance.
