In winning 21 games this past season, the West Jordan baseball team had no shortage of highlights. Payton Smith and Nick Bryant were on the ends of many of them. 

The Jaguars were Region 4 champions this season, as the team brought home a league trophy for the first time since 2021 when it took first place in Class 6A’s Region 2. Overall, the Jaguars finished 21-6 and were seeded third in the state tournament. The season ended on a sour note, with West Jordan falling to Salem Hills in the super regionals. Still, Smith and Bryant have a lot to be happy about with the 2025 season. 

Bryant, a first baseman and outfielder, was fourth on the team with 26 RBI. He also hit five doubles. Perhaps his best game of the season came March 15 at Richfield when he drove in four runs. 

“Having Nick join the West Jordan Baseball program as a senior was an absolute game changer,” head coach Travis Johnson said. “He has been such an amazing addition to our team. His work ethic is incredible. He is a silent leader who sets the tone by his actions and not his words. He is our Swiss army knife and has supported his team in many different roles and positions this season. We only wish we had him as a part of the program for all of his high school career.”

Meanwhile, Smith was a stalwart pitcher, going 5-2 on the season to post the most victories on the mound among all Jaguar pitchers. He also struck out 46 batters, the second-best mark for West Jordan. He finished his career with 95 strikeouts. On March 25 at home against Hunter, Smith sent 11 batters to dugout with his excellent pitching. He also had eight strikeouts in the season opener against Copper Hills on March 10. 

“It has been an absolute pleasure to be a part of Payton's four years at West Jordan watching him grow and improve each year to the player and leader he is today,” Johnson said. “Payton is a fierce competitor that expects the best out of himself and his teammates and is always pushing them to be the best version of themselves on and off of the field.”

Both players brought extensive experience to the Jaguars. Smith started playing at age 5, and Bryant joined his first team at age 5. Humorously, Smith and Bryant each said they didn’t initially love baseball, but their parents made them stick it out and keep playing. Eventually, both players found a love for the game. 

“I love competing because it gives me a feeling I don't feel anywhere but the field,” Smith said. “I continue to compete because it gives me a feeling of accomplishment.”

For Bryant he finds the feeling of working hard and accomplishing difficult tasks to be rewarding.

“I enjoy the daily grind,” he said. “It’s hard, but it’s also fulfilling in its own way. I think it turns boys to men.”

Over the past few years, the West Jordan baseball program has experienced a wave of highs and lows. One thing that has been constant, however, has been the team chemistry and camaraderie. Smith and Bryant are grateful to have been a part of such a tight-knit group. 

“I love the West Jordan team because we are all a family, we fight together and we die together, and it feels amazing being a part of a team like that,” Smith said. 

Smith said his biggest strengths as a player were leadership, hard work and encouragement. He is pleased to say that he was a good teammate that other people could look up to. Bryant was a consistent player, especially at the plate where his coaches and teammates could rely on him to get a hit was needed. However, Smith and Bryant focused on improvement through their careers and into their senior seasons. Bryant had an emphasis on improving his baseball IQ and cutting down on errors. He also made a concerted effort to get better at hitting, something he said is never easy at this level. 

“The most challenging aspects of the sport are in my opinion, hitting a baseball and dealing with failure,” Bryant said. “The greats hit the ball three out of 10 times, and I think that’s what makes baseball so hard. I personally try to think ahead to the next pitch when I strike out or make an error in the field.”

Smith has already committed to play baseball at Warner Pacific University in Seattle, Washington. 

“I am extremely excited to continue playing baseball and furthering my education as well,” Smith said. 

As for Bryant, his next step will be to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He then plans to study mechanical engineering at Southern Utah University. λ