Standards Engine › Steeplechase
Steeplechase scholarships in the USA: what times do you need?
The 3000m steeplechase is a specialist event with fewer athletes per team, so a solid steeplechaser can be more valuable to a coach than an equivalent flat runner.
Steeplechase Standards Engine
Enter your steeplechase PB and see the US college level you could compete at, in seconds. Times are only one part of what coaches look at.
This shows the level your times suggest you could compete at. Your overall scholarship package is a combination of multiple factors: your second events, your grades, your attitude and how you come across during the recruitment process, and how long you have before you would start. Our free assessment looks at all of this.
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Steeplechase standards by level
Each column shows the level of programme a mark suggests you could potentially compete at. Your overall scholarship package at any level is a combination of multiple factors, not just your times.
| D1 top | D1 large | D1 mid major | D2 large | D2 small | NAIA | JUCO | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men (3000m steeplechase) | 8:40 | 8:55 | 9:15 | 9:15 | 9:40 | 9:50 | 10:00 |
| Women (3000m steeplechase) | 10:05 | 10:35 | 11:00 | 10:55 | 11:25 | 11:45 | 12:00 |
Outdoor, fully automatic timing. Guides, not guarantees. See standards for every event →
What US coaches look for in a steeplechase recruit
- Your PB and how recent it is. A season's best from this year counts for more than an older mark.
- Hurdling technique and water jump. Coaches will ask about your barrier technique and experience.
- Flat speed. Your 1500m and 3000m/5000m times show your engine.
- Your trajectory. How much you have improved over the last one to two seasons, and your training age. A fast-improving athlete can be recruited above their current mark.
Common second events: 1500m, 5000m and cross country.
OSS athletes in this event
Frequently asked questions
What steeplechase time do you need for a scholarship?
As a guide, men around 9:15 and women around 11:00 are in range for mid-major Division I programmes, with top Power 4 programmes looking closer to 8:40 and 10:05. Your overall scholarship package is a combination of factors, including grades, attitude, second events and timing.
Can I get recruited if my mark is just outside the standard?
Often, yes. Coaches recruit on trajectory, range and potential as well as current marks, and many athletes improve significantly in their first US season. A free assessment will tell you where you realistically stand.
Want to know where your steeplechase could take you?
We'll look at your PBs, grades and goals and tell you honestly where you could compete.
Get your free assessmentOpen the Standards Engine