[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 17 (Tuesday, January 30, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E91-E92]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE'S CROSS COUNTRY PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BURGESS OWENS

                                of utah

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 30, 2024

  Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for the opportunity to 
recognize the extraordinary achievements of the Salt Lake Community 
College Cross Country program, a testament to the dedication, hard 
work, and indomitable spirit of Utah's student-athletes. In just 18 
short months since its inception, Salt Lake Community College's Cross 
Country program has soared to remarkable heights. The women's Cross-
Country team achieved an outstanding 3rd place at the National Junior 
College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Cross Country National 
Championship, securing victory at the 2023 Scenic West Championship.
  Equally impressive, the men's team claimed the 8th spot nationally 
and conquered the 2023 Scenic West Championship. Unsurprisingly, 77 
percent of the women athletes and 65 percent of the men's team hail 
from the great state of Utah, showcasing the program's commitment to 
nurturing local talent. On November 11, 2023, the men's team displayed 
their prowess as Runner-Ups at the NJCAA National Championship in 
Huntsville, Alabama, with JQ Harris, an SLCC runner, clinching the 
men's Individual Championship.
  The women's Cross-Country team went even further, securing not one 
but two national championships. On November 11, 2023, they triumphed at 
the NJCAA National Championship in Huntsville, Alabama, and two days 
later, they emerged victorious at the Half Marathon National 
Championship. These victories marked a historic moment for SLCC, 
claiming their first national championships in women's sports. The 
college now boasts an impressive tally of five national championships 
across women's and men's sports.
  Behind this success are the dedicated coaches and leaders I would 
like to recognize: Head Coach Isaac Wood, named the NJCAA National 
Coach of the Year for Cross-Country; Assistant Coaches Kelsey Gilbert, 
Aiden Carlson, Tom Gruenewald; and Athletic Director Kevin Dustin.
  As a former athlete and Chair of the Higher Education and Workforce 
Development Subcommittee, I am proud of the Salt Lake Community College 
Cross Country program's remarkable achievements, embodying the true 
spirit of sportsmanship, resilience, and dedication. I thank them for 
their example as their continued success inspires aspiring athletes 
across Utah and beyond.

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