Preferred Recruit · Track StandardsRecruiting tips for high school multi-event athletes
Coaches recruit multi-event athletes on the event marks that show raw ability, usually sprints, hurdles and jumps, and on room to grow in events they haven't trained yet. Send your best individual marks first, with your decathlon or heptathlon score alongside.
Updated 2026-10-16 · Preferred Recruit · built from 1,143 college programs' standards
What coaches look for
Speed and jumping ability are hard to teach, so a fast hurdler or long jumper with some throwing skill is a strong multi recruit. Coaches expect your weaker events to improve in college.
Use individual standards too
Your individual marks may already fit standards in one or two events. Search each on the standards finder and list the programs where several of your events fit.
Find programs that coach multis
Programs with multi-event athletes on their roster or in their conference results already coach the events. Check the roster links on each school page.
Common questions
Do high schools have the decathlon?
Few high school seasons include it, but many summer and invitational meets do, and a score helps coaches compare.
Should I specialize instead?
If one event already fits strong standards, talk to coaches about both paths.