How to apply for a Track Team at a University as a Freshmen?

I'm a senior in high school and wants to continue on with Track at the college level; however, i haven’t contacted any coaches or schools about this yet. I already signed up at the NCAA Clearing House and am going to send off my official grades today, but i still don't know how to get in contact with the schools i'm applying for. My councilor told me to just call the athletics department and talk to the track coach or leave a message, but that seems to be unofficial and i wouldn't know wut to tell the coach besides "Hey, I’m a freshmen....... and i would like to join ure track team/tryout".... i could do that, but is it the best way to go and is there any other way because i'm not planning on having my high school coach talk to the other coaches on my behalf because of personal reasons..... any help would be great!