What do college gymnastics coaches really look for when recruiting athletes? It's about more than skills, scores, and competition results.

In this episode, Coach Ali Havel sits down with Kasey Crawford, head coach at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, and Sam Scherwinski, assistant coach at the University of Minnesota, to talk about the realities of college gymnastics recruiting from the coaches' perspective.

They discuss how the recruiting landscape is changing, when gymnasts should start communicating with college coaches, and why consistent, personalized emails can make a difference. You'll also learn what coaches notice beyond gymnastics, including coachability, communication, how athletes respond to mistakes, and whether they fit the team's culture.

The conversation also covers what to do when a coach doesn't respond, how injured gymnasts can stay connected during recovery, and why one disappointing meet doesn't have to end a recruiting opportunity.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How Division I and Division III recruiting timelines can differ
• When to start reaching out to college coaches
• How to write emails that help coaches remember you
• What coaches look for in practice, at competitions, and during campus visits
• Why mistakes and setbacks don't automatically ruin your chances
• How to communicate with coaches during an injury
• Why persistence, self-awareness, and coachability matter
• How to find schools that fit your gymnastics goals and priorities

Timestamps

00:00 – Meet the college coaches
01:10 – Their journeys in college gymnastics
03:12 – Why recruiting can feel mentally overwhelming
04:22 – How the recruiting landscape is changing
06:17 – How Division III recruiting timelines have shifted
07:13 – Is it ever too late to get recruited?
08:17 – When should gymnasts contact college coaches?
09:58 – How often should you email coaches?
11:12 – What makes a recruiting email stand out?
12:37 – How to show genuine interest in a school
13:32 – Why personality and team culture matter
15:14 – What coaches notice about coachability
16:33 – What coaches look for during campus visits
17:33 – What coaches observe at competitions
18:26 – Why one bad meet doesn't ruin your chances
19:13 – How athletes can learn from mistakes
21:20 – Can confidence and resilience be developed?
21:50 – Recruiting red flags coaches notice
22:18 – What to include in your gymnastics videos
22:46 – Asking about NIL, scholarships, and team culture
24:17 – What to do when a coach doesn't respond
25:39 – How injured gymnasts can stay on coaches' radar
27:10 – Communicating your recovery plan
29:26 – Why injuries are part of an athlete's journey
31:14 – Advice for gymnasts starting recruiting
31:52 – Finding the right recruiting level and school
32:26 – GMA's Get Recruited course

College recruiting can feel overwhelming, but your gymnast doesn't have to navigate every decision with self-doubt or pressure. Understanding what coaches are looking for can help her take meaningful steps toward finding the right fit.

Resources

Ready for support with the mental side of recruiting?

Download GMA’s free Recruiting Mindset Playbook for mindset tools and practical strategies to help your gymnast build confidence, trust herself, and take ownership of her college gymnastics recruiting journey.

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