BYU’s cross country teams found themselves at the center of a very different kind of attention this week after recent training photos set off a heated debate online about modesty, athletic gear and religious standards.
The images showed athletes working out in sports bras and spandex shorts, with the men shirtless in warm Provo weather. They spread quickly and raised questions about whether that clothing fits with university and faith expectations, especially at a Church-owned school.
An LDS member posting as @lds_spence drew attention to the women’s team photos and questioned whether the outfits were really necessary. That post was viewed more than one million times and pushed the conversation into wider view. The same user later posted men’s training photos and raised the same concern.
The criticism wasn’t only about what the athletes were wearing, but about the fact that the photos were being shared publicly. The original complaint acknowledged that running with less fabric can make sense from a performance standpoint, while also suggesting that posting the images online created a separate issue.
At the same time, the gear itself is hardly unusual in the sport. Standard collegiate track and field training often uses similar clothing to help athletes stay cool and avoid extra drag. Church guidance also leaves room for athletic needs, encouraging modesty in everyday life while recognizing that sports can require specialized attire.
BYU’s results only added to the visibility. The school swept both the men’s and women’s NCAA Division I cross country team titles in 2024, becoming the first program to do that in more than two decades. Both teams are still ranked in the national top 10 this season.
The reaction split sharply from there. Some argued that athletes representing a Church-owned university ought to dress with more coverage even in practice. Others said the clothing is functional and shouldn’t be turned into a bigger issue, especially when heat and hard training are part of the job.
The online back-and-forth produced plenty of blunt responses. One sarcastic reply said, “Yes it’s necessary. It would be weird if they were running naked.”
Another wrote, “Do you clutch your pearls when you see women at the beach in bikinis too? It’s not your business what women wear to work out.”
A third commenter added, “This looks like XC or long distance track athletes. Yes, the girls almost always dress like this, and the guys almost exclusively wear short shorts and no shirts while training.”
The same point came up again in another response: “Ive wondered this too. My husband’s cousin is one of the best runners in the nation and attends BYU, and I’m always wondering how those girls feel about running without proper clothes on,” a fourth user said.
For now, the episode has turned into a broader argument over where religious principles meet elite training and how much judgment belongs in that space.
In Other News...
LJ Martin Is Chasing BYU History As A Bigger Concern Emerges
LJ Martins climb up the BYU record book has been one of the early stories of the season. He opened the 2026 campaign ninth on the programs all-time rushing list with 2,541 yards, and after just three games he has already moved into sixth at 2,869. In the process, he has passed several well-known Cougars backs and put himself in position to make a serious run at the top of a list that has long belonged to some of the programs best runners.
For BYU, the individual milestone chase is only part of the conversation. The bigger concern is making sure Martin still has enough left in the tank when the schedule tightens and the most important games arrive. The Cougars are managing his workload with an eye toward keeping him fresh for later in the season, and if he maintains his current pace through the rest of the year and any postseason opportunities, history could be within reach. [Read more 🡒]
BYU Already Has A Rising Freshman Fans Need To Watch
Three games into the 2026 season, BYU already has a freshman making himself impossible to ignore. Legend Glasker has stepped into the offense and given the Cougars another weapon, piling up 270 receiving yards while also finding the end zone through the air and on the ground. For a team that has leaned on a strong offensive line to open lanes and keep the quarterback upright, Glasker has fit right into an attack that has looked balanced and efficient early.
Bear Bachmeier has driven the passing game with 662 yards and six touchdowns, while the ground game has stayed productive behind the lines steady play. But Glaskers early production, along with two Big 12 freshman of the week honors, gives BYU something else to track as the season develops. He has already shown he can change games in more than one way, and that kind of versatility is the sort of development the Cougars will want to keep feeding. [Read more 🡒]
BYU May Have Found The Cornerback It Needed Most
BYUs secondary needed answers after the departure of cornerback Mory Bamba, and early in the season the Cougars have started sorting through them by leaning on sophomore Cannon DeVries and transfer Jayven Williams. Both have worked into the nickel and dime packages, giving the defense some needed flexibility as it reshapes the back end.
Williams, a senior transfer who arrived from Mississippi State after a stop at Kennesaw State, has been especially notable for how quickly he has adjusted to BYUs culture and defensive scheme. Defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga has praised that transition, and the Cougars now have reason to believe they may have found a corner who can help steady a position group still settling into its new look. [Read more 🡒]