My kid was recruited for T&F by the Ivy’s and other top D1s. They committed and received a Likely Letter and ran T&F at a top Ivy program.
NESCACS were not of interest for them so no first hand T&F NESCAC recruiting experience, though I am familiar with NESCAC recruiting for other sports from my other kids. If NESCACS were of interest I am fairly sure they would have gotten support.
I think we all understand that it depends on the school, which can vary greatly though in “general”, to be recruited to a top Ivy program, you have to be a very strong recruited athlete, that is athletically, where as NESCAC or D3s not quite as much athletically.
The Ivy’s only get so many LLs for T&F, so from what you described it sounds like they would have to get admitted on their own without support and may still be welcomed on the team.
For timing, we had interest going into Jr. year and it really picked up mid summer before Sr year. Official visits in the fall, decision to commit in the fall.
If they are high enough on the coaches list, a NESCAC coach may be willing to wait to see if they get into an Ivy, though you would have to discuss this with them.
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