Opening

Belonging

The Human Side

Closing 

A La cart talk from the 2026 Coach's Convention

In this episode coach Eby and coach Fiorentino talk about how we balance structure v freedom in our program and how it can be a tricky balance at times. 

OPEN

PATH & BACKGROUND

Neural Kinetic Treatment: NKT – ROOT CAUSE THINKING

Facial Distortion Model: FDM – FASCIA & RUNNERS

MINDSET & JOURNALING

PRACTICAL TAKEAWAYS

CLOSE

OFFICIAL VS UNOFFICIAL VISITS EXPLAINED

Unofficial Visits

- Can happen any time and are usually self-funded.

- Coaches may be limited in recruiting conversations.

- Best for exploring campus, watching practice or meets, and sensing culture.

Official Visits

- Typically include paid travel, lodging, meals, and structured time.

- Signal genuine recruiting interest.

- Include deeper conversations about expectations and fit.

WHAT A GREAT VISIT SHOULD FEEL LIKE

- You can picture daily life there.

- Conversations feel honest.

- You understand where you fit.

- Staff words and actions align.

QUESTIONS RECRUITS SHOULD ASK COACHES

- How do you see me fitting in over four years?

- What does development look like?

- How do you handle injuries and setbacks?

- What does a typical week look like?

QUESTIONS PARENTS SHOULD ASK

- How do you support academics?

- What resources exist for physical and mental health?

- How do you communicate with families?

READING BETWEEN THE LINES

- Are athletes relaxed?

- Are answers consistent?

- Is your visit personalized?

WHAT IT MEANS WHEN A COACH OFFERS YOU A SPOT

An offer means interest, not guarantees. Clarify whether it is a roster spot, scholarship, or both.

RED FLAGS

- Vague answers

- Pressure to commit immediately

- Negative talk about athletes

- Lack of clarity or access

FINAL THOUGHT

The best visits don’t sell. They reveal.

In this episode, Alyssa Laughner and Coach Eby talk about how Alyssa got into running, her time at Baldwin Wallace and how running has impacted her life. Hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did. 

In this episode we discuss the relationship between cross country and track and field and how one builds upon the other  

How XC and Track Coexist

1. When people hear “cross country runner” versus “track runner,” why do you think they mentally separate the two? 

2. If you had to explain to a recruit in one sentence how XC and track coexist, what would you say? 

3. Do you view cross country and track as two different sports, or one sport with different expressions? 

4. What’s the biggest misconception athletes have about having to “choose” between XC and track? 

5. At what point did you personally realize how connected the two seasons really are? 

6. What does a strong cross country season actually give an athlete when they step on the track? 

7. How does aerobic development from XC show up in track races—especially late in the race? 

8. Why do XC runners often surprise themselves with early-season track performances? 

9. What mental skills from XC translate best to track racing? 

13. On the flip side, what does track season give an athlete heading into cross country? 

14. How does speed development change the way athletes race 6Ks and 8Ks in the fall? 

16. How does track improve efficiency, form, and confidence for distance runners? 

19. How does track racing teach athletes how to hurt in a controlled way? 

20. One concern athletes have is burnout—how do good programs avoid that while doing both seasons? 

22. Why does coexistence not mean being in peak shape year-round? 

23. How does communication between athlete and coach play a role in managing both seasons? 

Who Should Do Both? 

27. Are there cases where specializing makes sense—and when? 

37. If an athlete is listening and unsure whether to commit to both, what would you tell them?

Getting Started

When should athletes realistically start reaching out to college coaches?

Athletes should start reaching out once they have something real to share. That usually means:

For most athletes, that’s sophomore to junior year, but earlier communication can still be valuable for education and relationship-building, not offers.

Why do some athletes hesitate to send that first email?

Most hesitation comes from:

The reality is: sending an email isn’t asking for a scholarship. It’s starting a conversation.

What mindset should athletes have when reaching out?

The mindset should be:

“I’m introducing myself, not selling myself.”

Athletes should focus on being clear, honest, and coachable. Recruiting is a process, not a verdict.

Emails and First Contact

What makes an email stand out in a crowded inbox?

Clarity and relevance.

Emails stand out when coaches immediately understand:

Who you are, what you do, and why you’re reaching out.

What causes emails to be ignored?

Common reasons include:

Ignoring isn’t personal. It’s usually practical.

How much personalization actually matters?

Personalization matters more in intent than length.

One sentence showing you know the program goes a long way. Coaches can tell the difference between interest and copy-and-paste.

What subject lines help versus hurt?

Helpful:

Hurts:

The goal is clarity, not creativity.

Follow-Ups and Persistence

How long should athletes wait before following up?

A good rule of thumb is 2–3 weeks, unless the coach gave a specific timeline.

Following up shows interest. Doing it too quickly shows impatience.

How many follow-ups is too many?

If you’ve sent 3–4 purposeful follow-ups over time with no response, it’s probably time to shift focus.

Recruiting is about finding mutual interest, not forcing attention.

What should a follow-up email include?

A follow-up should:

“No new information” follow-ups rarely help.

How can athletes follow up without sounding desperate?

By focusing on updates, not validation.

Share progress. Share plans. Avoid asking, “Are you still interested?”

Social Media and DMs

Is social media helping or hurting recruiting right now?

It can do both.

Social media helps when it:

It hurts when it:

Email still matters.

When can DMs be appropriate?

DMs can be appropriate when:

They should never be the first or only contact.

What should athletes avoid posting or sending?

Avoid:

If you wouldn’t want a coach screenshotting it, don’t post it.

Why does consistency matter more than a single performance?

One great performance can open a door.

Consistency tells a coach whether to keep it open.

What’s one thing athletes can control regardless of talent?

How they communicate.

Effort, honesty, and professionalism are available to every athlete.

In Part Two of our conversation with Kelly Brennan, we go back to the beginning.

Kelly shares how she first found running, what drew her to the sport, and how those early experiences laid the foundation for everything that followed. From discovering her competitive drive to learning the discipline and consistency the sport demands, Kelly reflects on how running slowly became more than just something she did — it became something that shaped who she is.

We talk about the lessons running taught her outside of results and records, how the sport influenced her mindset, relationships, and identity, and why those lessons still matter long after the finish line.

This episode is about origins, perspective, and the lasting impact of running on a life.

🎧 If you missed Part One, be sure to start there.