D3 Swimming Questions!

triandswim
Sat, 20 Mar 2010 20:59:26 +0000

Okay, sorry if I sound ignorant about this whole process- I’m currently a junior (HS) and just starting to look at colleges!

I’m looking at applying to a few D3 schools (not Kenyon or any of the powerhouse D3 swimming schools though) and would like to swim. I’m not the fastest swimmer, but am an accomplished triathlete. I have a high USAT national ranking. I am a better runner than I am swimmer, but enjoy swimming much more, and doubt I could follow a collegiate running program without getting injured… which seems to happen when I try to focus on running (I can’t maintain over 30mpw without injury). My triathlon coach works closely with my swim coach (they’re separate clubs), and both agree it is best to keep me on a swimming-emphasized training regimin.

Additionally, I have a very high GPA/class rank (top 10%), with a heavy course load of several honors/AP courses at a very academically competitive high school. I am not relying on swimming or athletics to get me into school or scholarships, as I believe that I have a much better chance of using academic merit for college acceptance/scholarship.

Would I have a shot at swimming D3? I looked at the times for the school I’m applying too, and my best times (as a HS junior, and I haven’t swam competitively for a year yet) are right in the middle of their times. Also, what kind of practice time commitment am I looking at? And is D3 swimming pretty much go all school year? Should I contact the swim coach?