Gamez, Baltazar, Palomares and Mejia Named All-Americans

2023 United Soccer Coaches Junior College All-America Teams

KANSAS CITY, Mo. --- Sophomores Marvin Gamez, Nicholas Baltazar, Donovan Palomares and Jovanny Mejia were all named to the 2023 United Soccer Coaches' Junior College Division III All-American Team, it was announced Wednesday.

Gamez and Baltazar were each named to the first team while Palomares and Mejia earned second-team honors. This marked the third consecutive season the Warriors had at least one player named an All-American by the USC and first time the program has had multiple players selected in one season.

Gamez led the 3C2A in scoring this season as he scored 28 goals and added 10 assists for 66 points. His 28 goals also tied the ECC record for most goals in a season which was set in 1978 by John Britton. He played and started in 23 matches this season. Gamez was also named the South Coast Conference Offensive Player of the Year this season and earned the 3C2A State Tournament Most Valuable Player honors after leading the Warriors to the 2023 3C2A State Championship, the program's first since 1992 and fifth all-time.

Baltazar was the captain of the team and the anchor of the back line for the Warriors all season. He played and started in all 25 matches this season and managed to score a goal and dish out three assists while also being the team's most reliable defender in the field. He helped lead a defensive unit that allowed just 13 goals all season. The Warriors would conclude the season with seven straight shutouts and 17 overall and did not allow a goal in their final 636:53 of action.

Palomares was named the goalkeeper on the All-America Second Team after playing and starting in all 25 matches for the Warriors and going 24-1-0 in that stretch with 17 clean sheets. He posted a 0.45 goals against average which ranked No. 1 in the 3C2A amongst goalkeepers that played in at least 10 matches. On the season, Palomares was a part of a scoreless streak of 487:56 earlier in the season and 636:53 to wrap up the year.

Mejia played in all 25 matches for the Warriors and led the team with 13 assists, a number that ranked fourth in the 3C2A. He also scored eight goals on the season which ranked fifth on the team and his 29 points overall ranked third on the Warriors.

Among the 100 Junior College All-Americans (52 men, 48 women), two men and four women earn All-America recognition for a second time in their college careers.

Players on this year's United Soccer Coaches Junior College All-America Teams will be recognized for their accomplishments at the United Soccer Coaches All-America Ceremony & Reception on Saturday, Jan, 13, 2024 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, in conjunction with the United Soccer Coaches Convention.