Cotton Motivation: These Cross Country T-Shirts Say It All

October 15th, 2010 by Geoffrey Decker

A quirky high school cross country tradition is the team t-shirt, which boasts a quote, virtue or slogan to serve as its unofficial motto. Much like the personalities of the athletes who wear them, these shirts run the gamut of uniqueness, ranging from inspiring to intimidating to silly to personal.

Dozens of these shirts were on display last weekend in the Bronx at Van Cortlandt Park. It was the 38th running of the Manhattan Invitational, the world’s largest single-day cross country meet, which featured 300 teams from more than a dozen states in 40 races.

Here’s just a sampling of the t-shirt mottos I saw, complete with an explanation from the coaches and runners who wore them:

“Cool Runnings”

By: Sam Moore
High School: LaSalle (Troy, N.Y.)

“If You’re Still Impressed By What You Did Yesterday Then You Haven’t Done Enough Today”

By: Alex Carroll
High School: Damascus (Maryland)

“Get Used to This View”

By: Coach Roy Hamblin
High School: Mendam (New Jersey)


“Can I have your number… Your Track Number?”

By: Kim Lanto
High School: Clark (Westbury, N.Y.)

“No Regrets”

By: Veer Bhalla
High School: West Windsor Plainsboro North (New Jersey)

“The Human Body Can Only Do So Much … then the head and spirit must take over”

By: Dana Cody
High School: Sachem East (Long Island)

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