After a program-record 26 wins and three losses in the regular season, the awards flooded in for the Roadrunners on Friday morning.
Senior forward Jordyn Jenkins won the American Athletic Conference Player of the Year award and earned First Team All-Conference honors. Graduate guard Nina De Leon Negron received Newcomer of the Year and was named to the All-Newcomer Team; sophomore forward Idara Udo was named to the Second Team All-Conference alongside De Leon Negron. Voters also unanimously selected Coach Karen Aston for Coach of the Year.
UTSA’s defense, rebounding and execution have turned them into a nightmare for opponents, with Jenkins catalyzing their success. Leading the conference in scoring, she became the ‘Runners go-to option when they needed a basket, whether it was dropping 30 against East Carolina University or hitting clutch free throws in a tight road battle at the University of Memphis. Her presence defined the ‘Runners’ offense, but her impact extended beyond scoring. She was a force on both ends of the floor, finishing in the top 20 for total rebounds and blocks per game while commanding constant defensive attention.
Jenkins’ impact was only part of the equation. UTSA’s ability to control the paint and dictate the flow of games stemmed from a tenacious approach on the boards. That effort started with Udo, whose presence inside gave the Roadrunners a toughness few teams could match.
Udo led the AAC in offensive rebounding, constantly battling for position and refusing to be outworked. Her tenacity was on full display against the University of North Texas, where she fought through contact for key putbacks. Four days later against Wichita State University, she dominated the glass with 12 rebounds, outmuscling defenders for second-chance points that swung the momentum in UTSA’s favor. Whether securing extra possessions in close games or providing a defensive anchor inside, Udo was a major reason why UTSA finished with the best rebounding margin in the conference.
UTSA’s ability to impose its will in the paint gave it a foundation, but games are rarely won on size and strength alone. When the pressure was at its highest, it was De Leon Negron who made sure the Roadrunners never lost control.
The native Puerto Rican’s poise and control of the offense in high-pressure situations made her just as vital to the team’s success. At her best in crunch time, she orchestrated comebacks and found ways to keep UTSA in command. Against Temple University, she played a pivotal role in a fourth-quarter rally by hitting a game-tying three-pointer and setting up key transition buckets that fueled an 11-0 scoring run. Throughout the season, she led UTSA in assists with 5.2 per game, ranking second in the American, while also averaging 9.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.6 steals. Whether controlling the tempo in tight matchups or stepping up as a scorer when needed, De Leon Negron’s all-around play was instrumental in UTSA’s rise to the top of the AAC.
UTSA’s dominance this season was no accident. The team’s defensive identity, rebounding strength and ability to execute in crucial moments all pointed to a structure built for sustained success. That foundation was laid by Aston, whose vision and leadership established the Roadrunners as a force to be reckoned with.
At the heart of it all, Aston took over a team that won a mere seven games in her first season and turned it into a formidable program. After a 17-1 conference record and an undefeated home slate, UTSA established itself as the league’s toughest defensive team, holding opponents to 56.1 points per game on 37% shooting while controlling the boards with a plus-9.4 rebounding margin. Her ability to instill discipline, make key in-game adjustments and build a roster that has bought into her system made her the clear choice for Coach of the Year. And despite falling to Rice University in its first game of the conference tournament, UTSA’s season is far from over, as it will face Gonzaga University in the first round of the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament.