By Victoria Brito Morales

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – JUNE 30, 2025 – A team of three students from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has made history as the first all-female shooting team to win a division at the 2025 ACJA National Conference. The team took home the Upper Division Team Shooting Competition win, marking a milestone in the organization’s 88-year history.

The UTRGV Brownsville Campus Criminal Justice Association Iota Kappa Chi chapter shooting team practices as a team at a range in Los Fresnos. Members of the team recently won in a nationwide competition. (UTRGV Photo by David Pike)

Representing UTRGV’s Iota Kappa Chi chapter of the American Criminal Justice Association, Kayla Navarro, Christina Hernandez and Brianna Rodriguez received a standing ovation for their first-place victory during the awards ceremony in Long Beach, California.

“This is more than just a win,” said Dr. Michael R. Sanchez, UTRGV lecturer III of Criminal Justice and faculty adviser for Iota Kappa Chi. “Their victory breaks barriers and sets a powerful example of excellence and representation for future generations. They are true trailblazers.”

The team’s achievement is the result of months of rigorous preparation. Under Sanchez’s guidance, Iota Kappa Chi members undergo extensive training in firearms, crime scene investigation, defensive tactics, de-escalation and physical fitness.

For the students, the win was emotional and appreciation.

“It was an emotional moment when we found out we won,” said Rodriguez, a Brownsville native who hopes to work in a K-9 unit after graduation. “I kind of wanted to cry.”

Hernandez, a San Benito native, who graduated in May 2025 and aspires to join a police academy, described the experience as unforgettable. “Winning at nationals was my favorite memory with this group,” she said.

Their success highlighted UTRGV’s strong overall performance, with all 10 students placing in their respective events during the spring semester.

ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

• Christina Hernandez from San Bentio– 1st place, Academic Testing LAE Knowledge – Upper Division
• Alberto Garay from Brownsville – 1st place, Firearms Individual – Lower Division
• Gabriel Richarte from San Benito, Kenny Perez from Brownsville and Alberto Garay from Brownsville – 1st place, Shooting Team – Lower Division
• Michael Sanchez from San Benito – 1st place, Firearms Individual – Professional Division
• Brendaly Quinonez from Brownsville, Luis Vasquez from Brownsville and Dr. Michael Sanchez – 2nd place – Firearms Team – Professional Division
• Gabriel Richarte – 3rd place – Firearms Individual – Lower Division
• Denisse Jimenez from Brownsville, Jair Tovar from Brownville and Dr. Ted Falencki from Long Beach, CA, faculty adviser for the CTE Chapter of ACJA at California State University – 3rd place – Firearms Team – Professional Division (Mixed Team)

Navarro, a key member of the team, also earned second place in the Upper Division Firearms Individual Competition while Hernandez took third.

Sanchez credited the students’ success to their dedication and resilience, noting that the entire team trains every Saturday morning at Vinson’s Firing Range in Los Fresnos.

“Before regionals, they were training out in the rain – that’s the level of commitment we’re talking about,” he said. “I’m proud of the entire team, especially Kayla, Christina and Brianna for making history.”

(UTRGV photo by David Pike)

The chapter’s accomplishments extend beyond competitions. Last fall, they hosted the 2024 ACJA Region 2 Conference in Brownsville, further strengthening UTRGV’s leadership in criminal justice education.

“This success wouldn’t be possible without the unwavering support from Dr. Jose Davila, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, and Dr. Gordon Crews, chair of the Department of Criminal Justice,” Sanchez added.

For more information about UTRGV’s Department of Criminal Justice, visit utrgv.edu/cla/schools-and-departments/department-of-criminal-justice.