On cycling forums, I rarely post about my soccer DD. On soccer forums, I rarely post about my youth cycling son.
We played the system for both kids and because the system is bigger than all of us, it matters. But as I said - not so much. If the kid really has talent, the school is getting more than the kid (parents) are getting.
It became apparent to me that college was mostly about branding. College added little other than adding the "recruited by Notre Dame NCAA 2010 Nat Champs", or "USA Cycling National Team and USAFA" on their resume's (my kids). Great for bragging, which I am doing now, but really didn't buy anyone much.
In the "end" these still 20 year olds, benefit more from the character and discipline that elite youth sports bring. Point is - if your kid is of that level, it matters relatively little if a college can see that. There are extremes of course, like don't send an Ivy capable kid to a community college, although that can still work.