Greenbrier runner signs with Troy
Miguel Mota believes runners must have confidence.
Miguel Mota signed a cross country scholarship with Troy (Ala.) University as his friends and family gathered around.
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"You have to think you're the best and you can beat everyone else out there," he said. "It's not being cocky, you just have to be confident."
Mota's confidence and running prowess led him to sign a letter of intent with Troy University (formerly Troy State) in Troy, Ala. The Greenbrier senior will run cross country and track with the school.
"I'm really excited about going to school," he said. "The coaches were real nice and the school just fit me well."
Mota chose the Trojans over Gardner-Webb and Lynchburg (Va.) College.
His signing caps off his stellar career at Greenbrier.
He was named All Area Cross Country First Team in 2003 and 2004. He finished 10th in the state his junior year and the team also finished 10th. This past fall, Mota finished 13th in the state and the team finished a school-best second.
"During cross country season, I hate track," Mota said. "They are totally different sports. I think cross country is more appealing to me because it is you against the course."
The Wolfpack won the cross country region title all four years that Mota was on the team.
"We had a phenomenal season," he said. "We knew we had a strong team but we still worked hard in the offseason and it paid off. We are really proud to have finished where we did for our school, which has such great tradition in cross country."
Greenbrier also has won the region track and field championship every year that Mota has been in school and will be looking for a fifth straight title when the region meet convenes this weekend.
Mota, who holds the school record in the 3200 meter, finished fifth in the state in the 3200 last year. He will race in the 1600, 3200 and 4x400 relay at this weekend's region meet, and hopes to run in the three events at the state meet.
"I won all three of those at last year's region meet," Mota said. "I want to be able to do the same this year, and I think I can."