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.
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