Anon Recruiting question and mail confusion

[Anonymous (1590)]

My daughter is a 2028 first year level 10 (would have been a 2nd year, but got injured right before season last year)

My question is around college mail being sent to gyms, how are coaches getting these gymnasts info? I know obviously if they are an elite, or if they went to nationals etc, but my daughter has a "friend" (in quotes because shes not close enough with this girl to ask her) at a local gym who competed level 9 last season, will be a first year 10, based on Instagram videos and what we know doesn't have 10.0 college routines ready yet but is posting with photos of mail from big name schools.

Do some schools just send mail to your gym if you fill out a recruiting questionnaire?

My daughter has close to 30 NCAA coaches following her on Instagram, shes strong on bars, has a D+D release connection competition ready/in a routine and two E releases shes working/caught. However she doesn't have her E dismount to mats yet, unsure if it will happen this season or not, her coach is very conservative when it comes to injury prevention and does not allow skills that aren't almost perfect to be competed. She has beam ready to compete, but won't have NCAA level floor/vault ready this season.

Everything we've heard is don't reach out to schools until you are at their level with NCAA 10.0 routines, so she hasn't sent any emails yet. She told me "I need to get my bar dismount comp ready before I email anyone or fill out questionnaires"

BUT she's seeing other girls with similar or lower skill level than her getting college mail, and she's feeling discouraged, or like she should be doing something she's not.

Is there a reason NOT to fill out the recruiting questionnaires for schools she's interested in? She does have a list of around 10-12 schools, almost all are mid-lower D1, well outside top 20.

thanks for anyone who read this novel I don't want to tell her the wrong thing and have a school look at her skills and dump her in a "no" pile

 

[Anonymous (b96e)]

In regards to college mail. Its rather generic in most cases. Not too hard for programs to just go by gyms and see which gymnasts are L10 and send mail to the gym. You can find this information on mymeetscores or through USAG. This is particularly true for some of the larger higher profile gyms ie, Twisters, Sonshine, Brandy's, etc. The larger NCAA programs are notorious for this because they have the money and staff to go through this process. Georgia is one that seems to be especially active on the mail front. Think about it from their standpoint, sending out a bunch of mail to "potential" prospects has zero downside, it puts their school in the recruits head in case they do develop into a priority recruit and it puts their brand out there. Bottom line, mail sent to a gym for a gymnast in and of itself is not indicative of much EXCEPT that a school knows you are a recruitable athlete. I would not be too discouraged by not getting mail (although I understand it is a fun and exciting thing). Instagram follows and even more instagram interactions (likes, direct messages, etc) is more relevant.

As far as contacting coaches/programs about her interest in them, she ABSOLUTELY should be sending them emails indicating her interest. This is her year and even if she doesnt have ALL the skills she is close and has a couple of years to get there. This is especially true if she is not at one of those high profile established gyms where college coaches are always coming by. You want to at least make sure you are "on the list". Just dont always expect a response from emails or much more than a generic form type email response.

One other thing, she should also be talking with her club coach about her interest in specific programs. A LOT of direct communication goes through the club coach. They have no restrictions on talking to a college coach and in many cases they have established relationships. Her club coach should be reaching out to these colleges and letting them know that they have an athlete that is interested in their program also.

Dont be discouraged. It is and can be a long process lasting more than just one year. Good luck!