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Salt Lake Community College Athletic Department advances to the NJCAA tournaments in each of their respective sports, posting several high national finishes

It was another historic season for the Women’s Soccer program, with the Bruins finishing as the NJCAA national runner-up. SLCC won the Region 18 tournament to advance into the NJCAA tournament field, then downed regional rival Arizona Western in the NJCAA Western District final. SLCC dropped a 1-0 decision to Iowa Western in the national title match.

Men’s Soccer was the No. 1 team in the NJCAA for much of the season, entering the national tournament as the No. 4 seed. The Bruins advanced to the NJCAA semifinals, earning wins over Eastern Oklahoma State and Iowa Western before falling to Arizona Western, 2-1, in the semifinals.

The Volleyball program placed fifth in the NJCAA tournament, earning a 3-2 win over Western Nebraska in the consolation bracket. Salt Lake also earned the Region 18 championship earlier in the season, along with winning the Scenic West Athletic Conference regular season title.

In its first year, the SLCC Women’s Cross-Country team finished third overall and Men’s Cross-Country team finished eighth at the NJCAA Championship meet in Florida. The program is filled with Utah student-athletes, capitalizing on the Beehive State’s tradition of producing nationally competitive distance runners.

SLCC Honors NBA Star Gary Payton II

Former SLCC student-athlete and current NBA player Gary Payton II was honored during half time at the SLCC vs. Northwest basketball game. Coaches, fans, players and SLCC leadership attended to celebrate the retiring of Payton’s jersey, # 1.

“For basketball, SLCC was one of the best conferences to play in and a good opportunity from a basketball standpoint to gain recognition. And it worked,” says Payton. He said the support he received from teachers and his coaches, “just made it smooth” for his two years here, while he earned an associate’s degree in business.