Batman to the rescue for Bateman runners

PDF | Nov. 1, 2007 newsletter

Wade Hampton sophomore Morgan Bateman remembers the Batman singlet his uncle, Patrick Bateman, wore during the 1980s while completing a sub-9 hour Ironman, during races.

Morgan wears the singlet during post season meets, such as Junior Olympics (Nov. 10), said Paul Bateman, his father.

"I told my brother that Morgan was going to do Junior Olympics after cross country," said Paul.

Patrick's response to his brother, "It's time to transfer the power of the bat."

Dusty, Morgan's older brother, is a freshman cross country student-athlete at Wofford College.

"It (singlet) kinda gets you notorious," said Dusty.  "When your running everyone can cheer for you."

Morgan, one of the top runners for the Generals going into Saturday's state meet, has the fourth fastest Class AAA scrunners.com elite database ranking time (16:16).

In the latest South Carolina Track and Cross Country Association top 10 poll, Wade Hampton boys are third in Class AAA and sixth out of all classifications.

"I welcome competition," said Morgan. "It fuels the sport, makes everyone go faster. No matter how bad how I feel in a race, this singlet has been in more miles than I have (so far)."

Paul, a former smoker, started running in 1985 with his brother, dad and sister. The family ran an 8K race for his dad's 65th birthday. Paul mentioned he beat his father in the race.

"I just think about Patrick," said Paul. "If he can set the world record in the Ironman. I should be able to get through my 5K, 10K."

"After it goes through a race, it's hand washed and sealed in a bag," said Paul. "Its just been a fun thing."

"It doesn't matter who you are," said Morgan. "They just start cheering for you because you have the batman uniform on.  It was kinda an inspiration at Foot Locker (South 2006). I broke my foot there. A woman and daughter said, 'Go, Batman.' I said, oh great. I couldn't let them down. It is very encouraging for random people you don't even know to say Batman, Batman."