I don’t have first hand experience with Bucknell but the program and coach have a good reputation. I’d definitely pursue to get a sense of fit.
Pretty sure the coaches can help with admissions at most of the Patriot league schools but specifics might be different. Just ask the coaches about the process and they’ll tell you. I don’t think the 3.6 is a disqualifier but they’ll know.
I’d suggest keeping an open mind about D1 vs D3. Most D1 distance programs are positive environments where athletes can focus on academics. The level of competition is higher, sure, and frankly the athletes drawn to a school like NAU or Oregon probably prefer a different balance of academics and athletics than athletes at Yale. But that’s not a D1 thing, it’s a school and program specific thing. Grant Fisher was an engineering major at Stanford while competing for championships after all.
Along those lines, mid-d boys can see major performance jumps junior year. A 1:56 sophomore can transform into a 1:52/1:53 junior, and that’s a totally different level of recruit.