Sweeping Nationals, SLCC’s Cross-Country Women’s and Men’s Become Champions, Again

The Salt Lake Community College’s Cross-Country program has risen to become one of the best in the nation, sweeping both the men’s and women’s races this past Saturday (Nov. 9) at the National Junior College Cross Country Championships in Richmond, Virginia. In addition on Tuesday (Nov. 12) the women's team won the half-marathon national championship and the men's team took second place.

“The athletes that returned from last year's teams really helped us maintain our team culture and high standard. Our team motto of NYTJ (Not Your Typical Junior College) is really something we live by every day. We try very hard to have a level and standard that is no different than if our athletes were attending and running at a Division 1 level program,” said coach Isaac Wood, who has led the cross-country program now into its third year.

“Our mindset keeps us believing every day that we are getting better by putting in the work and trusting the process and coming together as a team,” added Wood. Since he began leading the SLCC’s cross-country program three years ago, the teams have earned three championships and one runner-up title.

The women’s team claimed its second straight national championship, finishing with 34 points, 46 points ahead of the nearest challenger, with five of the team’s runners finishing in the top 20. Angelina Lione was fifth, Alix Crawford seventh, Angela Fernandez 11th, Elayna Loveridge 13th and Naomi Sotelo 19th.

The Men's team earned its first national championship and were led by JaQuavious Harris, who won the individual title for the second year in a row. Five runners placed in the top 20, scoring 55 points — 51 points better than runner-up Iowa Western.

“Because we live at altitude, Utah distance running at the high school, college and pro levels are arguably the best in the country,” said Wood, who also noted the enormous support among the team and each runner’s commitment to success not just in themselves but also as a whole team leads to winning.

Comments

Rev Up Your Future at SLCC Annuals Hop into College

SLCC West Valley Center will be opening its doors on Friday, August 2, from 6-9 pm for their annual lowrider event that celebrates the automotive culture and welcomes current, past, and future Bruins into the SLCC community. This unique event allows lowriders to showcase their vehicles and for spectators to witness the creativity, craftsmanship, and passion that goes into a lowrider car. From the sleek custom paint jobs to the impressive hydraulics showcased at the hop-off, attendees get immersed in the vibrant culture created by SLCC West Valley’s community. Beyond the car show, Hop into College provides prospective students and their families the opportunity to explore SLCC, engage with their future peers, staff and faculty and obtain valuable insight into the degrees and programs offered. Furthermore, the community is provided with countless beneficial resources not only as an SLCC student but as a community member. Whether interested in learning more about the lowrider community o...

Recognizing SLCC's 2025 Distinguished Faculty Lecturer Andrew Vogt, PhD Associate Professor, Engineering

The Distinguished Faculty Lecturer is a recognition of quality work by one of Salt Lake Community College’s full-time faculty and a charge to develop that work over an academic year into a public presentation. A committee chosen by the Associate Provost for Learning Advancement selects the faculty lecturer each year. The lecture takes place in the spring. Distinguished Faculty Lecturer Andrew Vogt, PhD Associate Professor, Engineering Dr. Andrew Vogt’s teaching philosophy is guided by two principles, curiosity and efficiency. “Curiosity leads us to study a topic and allows us to really understand the ins and outs of research, while efficiency is all about sustainability,” he says. Andrew describes curiosity as a pure, open-minded impulse to explore, such as the ease with which children learn new concepts with virtually no instruction. Efficiency adds maturity to that childlike impulse, creating structures and pathways for accomplishment. Andrew’s work has alwa...

SLCC Alumnus and U.S. Diplomat to Speak at 2025 Commencement

Salt Lake Community College’s 2025 Commencement speaker Branigan Knowlton will share his perspectives drawn from a 12-year career as a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State. In serving his country, Knowlton has honed his foreign relations and diplomacy skills in Hong Kong, Mexico, Colombia and Italy. Knowlton is also a proud Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) alumnus (2002). Knowlton currently serves at the U.S. Embassy in Rome. Before reporting to the embassy, he was detailed to the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport as part of the Transatlantic Diplomatic Fellowship program. In Bogotá, Knowlton worked for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, and in Hermosillo, Mexico, he worked for the Bureau of Consular Affairs. His first assignment abroad was in Hong Kong, where he worked for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. "I've actively sought opportunities that push me into the unfamiliar, even when ...

Official SLCC Blog

Search This Blog