|  CHAMPIONS & EXCELLENCE While the Austin Champions is a relatively new team, our coaches have many years of coaching experience and have been blessed with some great teams.  Our coaches have also had exceptional athletes who have pursued their goals of playing their sport at the collegiate level.   
 Mens Cross Country  Andres Uriegas, 2017, University of Texas at Dallas Will Hilscher, 2019, LeTourneau  University  Aaron Guzman, 2021, Benedictine University Neal Helgerson, 2021, Abilene Christian Womens Cross Country  Elizabeth "Libby" Regnerus, 2018, University of Dallas Lisbeth Britt, 2018, Dallas Baptist University Hannah Manning, University of Arkansas (Little Rock) Caroline Burslem, 2019, Texas A&M College Station Rachel Chiella, 2020, Southwestern University Hope Britt 2020, Cumberland University Jessie Chiella, 202 Southwestern University (track & field) Elianna Friedman 2023, LeTourneau University 
   
 Be Ready to Play at the Collegiate Level Student athletes need to understand that there is a process between playing high school sports as an Austin Champion and then playing their sport as a collegiate athlete. The journey for most student athletes begins their Freshman (9th grade) year based on the sport the athlete would like to pursue. There are three level of collegiate opportunities.  Most athletes are familiar with the NCAA but are not familiar with NAIA or consider the NJCAA opportunities.  Athletes need to understand that there are many different opportunities that may allow athletes to continue playing the sport they love and have learned during high school. Each collegiate level: NJCAA, NAIA, and NCAA have their own recruitment guidelines.  Within the levels each one has three divisions: I, II, II.  The scholarship opportunities vary with each division of each collegiate level.     
    
        
            | National Collegiate Athletic Association | National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics | National Junior College Athletic Association |  
            | NCAA | NAIA | NJCAA |  
            | to play NCAA sports athletes must meet eligibility requirements and register with the NCAA. | To play NAIA sports players must meet NAIA eligibility rules and register with the NAIA. | To learn about NJCAA eligibility rules and to register with the NJCAA. |  
            | GO TO NCAA
 | GO TO NAIA
 | GO TO NJCAA |      Recruiting Books to Read The College Bound Sports High School Athlete's Guide to College Sports,Taylor Trade Publishing, ISBN 1-58979-192-4
 The Student Athlete's Guide to Getting Recruited,Steward Brown, ISBN 978-1-032662-29-0
 Put Me In, Coach,Laurie A. Richter, ISBN 978-0-615-21333-0
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