<p>It depends on two factors-- what are your best times in the past two or so years-- then check out this year’s team records and see where you stack up. The other question is the extent of your injuries. Most coaches, including the Ivies, are careful with “likely letters” and will be appropriately concerned that the injury you sustained does not increase the likelihood that you are more prone to become re-injuried. To over come that you need to have appropriate documentation from a sports medicine doctor such as Lyle Micheli. Each team has a questionnaire that a prospective athlete needs to fill out that will tell you what questions the coaches want. Also know that Tim Murphy and Stephanie Murkowski both have a strong belief in the use of long yardage as a training technique. This can bring out a latent injury if it is not completely healed. </p>
<p>Most of the coaches are starting to put swimmers on the radar screen sometime in their junior year (sometimes, although they won’t contact them, they may track them as early as freshman year). If you aren’t on their radar screen and you think after doing the above research/analysis that you would be competitive for the program, your club coach can be in contact–high school swimming without also having USA Swim club training is often insufficient, so getting the club coach is more important in most cases than the high school coach.
Good luck. Remember, even if you are not recruited, all coaches in the IVies welcome students “walking on.” I hope you have a chance to swim in Blodgett.</p>