Michigan State Track & Field / Cross Country Recruiting (D1)

Q: What events is Michigan State track & field strongest in?

Based on its recorded marks, Michigan State shows the most depth in distance, throws, and sprints.

Q: How do I apply to Michigan State for track & field or cross country?

You can start a Michigan State application at admissions.msu.edu. Recruiting interest and an application are separate steps — reach out to the coaching staff on this page in addition to applying.

Free preview. Coaching staff, performance marks, athletics budgets, standings, and recruiting classes are members-only.

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Aaron Simoneau

XC Head Coach

XCHead Men's Cross County Coach

T&FAssistant Coach - Distance

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Lisa Breznau

Head Coach

Director of Track & Field/Cross Country

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Derrick Vicars

Assistant Coach (Throws)

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Max Benoit

XCAssistant Coach

T&FAssistant Coach - Distance

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Rebekah Smeltzer-Pickard

XCAssistant Coach

T&FAssistant Coach (Distance)

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Tim Nickas

Assistant Coach (Multis/Jumps)

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Yolanda Johnson

Assistant Coach - Sprints/Hurdles/Sprint Relays

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Hear From The Coaches

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PodcastThe On Track & Field Podcast! · Jan 2024Michigan State's Lisa Breznau on motivating her team and recruiting top athletes year after yearLisa Breznau

What It Really Costs

$32k

All-in cost of attendance (in-state)

~$62k out-of-state (est.)

$20k

Typical net price after aid (in-state, aided families)

What families actually pay, by household income

<$30k$7k

$30–48k$11k

$48–75k$17k

$75–110k$23k

$110k+$29k

Apply now ↗Admissions site ↗

How to read these numbers ▾

Tuition & fees: $16k in-state / $44k out-of-state; the rest is housing, food & books. All-in is what a family actually budgets.

Net price (tuition, fees & living costs minus grant aid) for federal-aid students, by family income band — a truer estimate of out-of-pocket cost than the sticker.

Cost of attendance & net price from federal college data (in-state / on-campus basis; out-of-state all-in is estimated as out-of-state tuition plus the same living costs). Individual aid varies. Program investment from EADA per-sport filings (coaching, travel, scholarships & ops) averaged across the track & field roster — heavier investment means more money in play, not a promised award.

What aid looks like here

MERIT AID

14% of first-years with no financial need were given merit aid, averaging $11,014 (the school's Common Data Set, 2025-26).

Meets 61% of financial need on average.

ATHLETIC AID · MEN'S PROGRAM CAN OFFER

No scholarship cap. Roster capped at 45

This school is in the House settlement for 2026-27: the old scholarship limit is gone and it may fund anyone on a 45-athlete track roster (17 for cross country), full or partial. What it actually funds is the school's choice and is not published.

$67,253

median pay, 10 years after starting

$23,250

median federal debt at graduation

What would your family pay here?

Sources: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (2024-25), IPEDS, Common Data Set 2025-26, aid rules. Estimates, not offers.

Open spots for 2027

Where this men's program loses athletes after the 2026-27 season, and whether it recruits the event. Estimates from official meet results and signing classes, as of 2026-10-08.

Sprints

Unlikely

0 in their final year · usually races 5 · about 2 spots

Hurdles

Unlikely

0 in their final year · usually races 3 · about 1 spot

Middle distance

Likely recruiting

3 in their final year · usually races 10 · about 4 spots

Distance

Possible

2 in their final year · usually races 12

Jumps

Unlikely

0 in their final year · usually races 5 · about 2 spots

Throws

Likely recruiting

2 in their final year · usually races 6 · about 3 spots

Multi-events

Unlikely

0 in their final year · usually races 2 · about 1 spot

See every program likely recruiting your event

Freshmen still on the team a year later

88%8 points above the D1 average (81%)

Of the 6 who left: 2 transferred to another college program, 4 have no college races since.

51 men's freshmen started here in fall 2021–2023. Stayed = on the roster or racing for this school the next season. “No college races since” can mean stepping away, injury, or a move to a school outside our data, such as a junior college. Source: official college season rosters and meet results.

Program Intel

▸Michigan State recruited most heavily in distance this cycle (5 of 7 signees).

▸MSU sprint legend Herb Washington later became MLB's only full-time "designated runner" -- he played 105 games for the 1974 World Series champion Oakland A's without ever batting, pitching, or fielding once.

+1 more insight — members only

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Michigan State Track & Field — Common Questions

What events is Michigan State track & field strongest in?

Based on its recorded marks, Michigan State shows the most depth in distance, throws, and sprints.

How do I apply to Michigan State for track & field or cross country?

You can start a Michigan State application at admissions.msu.edu. Recruiting interest and an application are separate steps — reach out to the coaching staff on this page in addition to applying.

Free preview. Coaching staff, performance marks, athletics budgets, standings, and recruiting classes are members-only.

Become a member

Aaron Simoneau

XC Head Coach

XCHead Men's Cross County Coach

T&FAssistant Coach - Distance

Unlock coach contact

Lisa Breznau

Head Coach

Director of Track & Field/Cross Country

Unlock coach contact

Derrick Vicars

Assistant Coach (Throws)

Unlock coach contact

Max Benoit

XCAssistant Coach

T&FAssistant Coach - Distance

Unlock coach contact

Rebekah Smeltzer-Pickard

XCAssistant Coach

T&FAssistant Coach (Distance)

Unlock coach contact

Tim Nickas

Assistant Coach (Multis/Jumps)

Unlock coach contact

Yolanda Johnson

Assistant Coach - Sprints/Hurdles/Sprint Relays

Unlock coach contact

Hear From The Coaches

All programs →

PodcastThe On Track & Field Podcast! · Jan 2024Michigan State's Lisa Breznau on motivating her team and recruiting top athletes year after yearLisa Breznau

What It Really Costs

$32k

All-in cost of attendance (in-state)

~$62k out-of-state (est.)

$20k

Typical net price after aid (in-state, aided families)

What families actually pay, by household income

<$30k$7k

$30–48k$11k

$48–75k$17k

$75–110k$23k

$110k+$29k

Apply now ↗Admissions site ↗

How to read these numbers ▾

Tuition & fees: $16k in-state / $44k out-of-state; the rest is housing, food & books. All-in is what a family actually budgets.

Net price (tuition, fees & living costs minus grant aid) for federal-aid students, by family income band — a truer estimate of out-of-pocket cost than the sticker.

What aid looks like here

MERIT AID

14% of first-years with no financial need were given merit aid, averaging $11,014 (the school's Common Data Set, 2025-26).

Meets 61% of financial need on average.

ATHLETIC AID · MEN'S PROGRAM CAN OFFER

No scholarship cap. Roster capped at 45

$67,253

median pay, 10 years after starting

$23,250

median federal debt at graduation

What would your family pay here?

Sources: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (2024-25), IPEDS, Common Data Set 2025-26, aid rules. Estimates, not offers.

Open spots for 2027

Where this men's program loses athletes after the 2026-27 season, and whether it recruits the event. Estimates from official meet results and signing classes, as of 2026-10-08.

Sprints

Unlikely

0 in their final year · usually races 5 · about 2 spots

Hurdles

Unlikely

0 in their final year · usually races 3 · about 1 spot

Middle distance

Likely recruiting

3 in their final year · usually races 10 · about 4 spots

Distance

Possible

2 in their final year · usually races 12

Jumps

Unlikely

0 in their final year · usually races 5 · about 2 spots

Throws

Likely recruiting

2 in their final year · usually races 6 · about 3 spots

Multi-events

Unlikely

0 in their final year · usually races 2 · about 1 spot

See every program likely recruiting your event

Freshmen still on the team a year later

88%8 points above the D1 average (81%)

Of the 6 who left: 2 transferred to another college program, 4 have no college races since.

Program Intel

▸Michigan State recruited most heavily in distance this cycle (5 of 7 signees).

+1 more insight — members only

Unlock Program Intel

Michigan State

Michigan State Track & Field — Common Questions

What events is Michigan State track & field strongest in?

How do I apply to Michigan State for track & field or cross country?

D1 recruiting standards by event

Michigan State

Michigan State Track & Field — Common Questions

What events is Michigan State track & field strongest in?

How do I apply to Michigan State for track & field or cross country?