Skip to: Content


  • Video Library
  • Test Your Recruiting IQ
  • College Coach Requests
  • Why? Lives Changed
  • NCAA Eligibility Center

How to Get Recruited for Women's College Cross Country

Division I

High School Qualifications 

  • 4 Years Varsity
  • State Champion or High State Finish (dependant on level of competition: 1A, 2A, 3A
  • Awards such as All-State/Region
  • Meet of Champions Qualifier or High Finish (All Divisions in the State)
  • Team MVP & Captain

AAU and USTAF Qualifications 

  • USATF Regional & National competition strongly preferred
  • Participation in Track Club

National Events 

  • USATF National Club Cross Country Championships
  • USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships
  • AAU Nationals

Regional Events 

  • USATF Association Championships (State JO’s)
  • USATF Regional Championships (Regional JO’s)
    *The U.S. is broken down into 15 Multi-State Regions

Event 

Tier 1
Recruit 

Tier 1
Roster 

Tier 2
Recruit 

Tier 2
Roster 

5,000M (5K) 

18:30 

19:00 

18:50 

20:30 

10,000M 

38:32 

39:34 

39:14 

42:42 

Division II

High School Qualifications 

  • 3+ Years Varsity
  • State Qualifier or High State Finish depending on level of competition (1A, 2A, 3A, 4A)
  • Awards such as All-Region/Section/County/Conference/League

AAU and USTAF Qualifications 

  • USATF Regional competition preferred
  • Participation in Track Club preferred

Event 

Tier 1
Recruit 

Tier 1
Roster 

Tier 2
Recruit 

Tier 2
Roster 

5,000M (5K) 

18:55 

20:00 

21:00 

22:00 

10,000M 

39:24 

41:39 

43:44 

45:49 

Division III

High School Qualifications 

  • 2+ Years Varsity
  • State Qualifier preferred
  • Awards such as All-County/Conference/League

AAU and USTAF Qualifications 

  • USATF competition is beneficial
  • Track club participation is beneficial

Event 

Tier 1 

Tier 2 

5,000M (5K) 

21:00 

23:00 

10,000M 

43:44 

47:54 

NAIA

High School Qualifications 

  • 2+ Years Varsity
  • State Qualifier preferred
  • Awards such as All-County/Conference/League

AAU and USTAF Qualifications 

  • USATF competition is beneficial
  • Track club participation is beneficial

Event 

Tier 1 

Tier 2 

5,000M (5K) 

21:00 

23:00 

10,000M 

43:44 

47:54 

Cross Country by the Numbers

 

Schools Offering Cross Country

Varsity 

Men 

Women 

NCAA Division I 

315 

341 

NCAA Division II 

237 

265 

NCAA Division III 

387 

410 

NAIA 

206 

212 

Junior College 

116 

128 

Total 

1,261 

1,356 

Athletic Scholarship Opportunities

Division I(per school) 

12.6 

18 

Division II (per school) 

12.6 

12.6 

NAIA 

5 

5 

NJCAA (*varies per school) 

10 

10 

Student-Athlete Participation

NCAA Division I 

4,652 

5,534 

NCAA Division II 

2,929 

3,117 

NCAA Division III 

5,434 

5,450 

NAIA 

1,893 

1,826 

NCJAA 

1,027 

812 

High School 

231,452 

198,199 

Note: Division III schools offer merit, academic, and need-based scholarships.