Having a hard time getting noticed? Learn from Nicole Edwards’ recruiting experience. The University of Michigan cross country standout landed in Ann Arbor, more than 1,000 miles away from her hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba.

STACK: What made you choose the University of Michigan?
Nicole Edwards: I knew I wanted to come down to the States to run in the NCAA system. I did some research and looked through schools that had a good academic program and a good athletic program. I made five recruiting trips; Michigan was one of them, and I liked it the best.

STACK: How difficult was it for you to get recruited?
NE: It was different. No one in the States knew about me, so I was really promoting myself. I contacted a lot of places and heard back from some of them. Some of them I didn’t hear back from. Once I informed the coaches about myself, they took it from there. It sort of changed back to the typical routine.

STACK: What advice can you give a high school athlete trying to get noticed by a college coach?
NE: I’d say do the same thing I did. Do some research and figure out where you think you’d be interested in, and then start sending emails. Talk yourself up.