LAREDO, Texas — Texas A&M International University Athletics celebrated the 2026 Student-Athlete Awards Banquet on Monday night, recognizing the department's top performers with a Star Wars–themed evening on May 4th.
The event featured appearances from the 501st Legion – Star and Bravo Garrisons, as Star Wars characters interacted with attendees and themed displays and memorabilia filled the venue. The night included a mocktail hour, dinner and a full awards presentation honoring team and departmental standouts, along with academic and senior recognitions. University President Dr. Christopher Maynard opened the program as TAMIU celebrated the achievements and dedication of its student-athletes .
Highlighting the evening were four of the department's top honors — the Athletic Director's Awards and the President's Scholar-Athlete Awards.
Rachael Emmanuel was named the 2026 Female Athletic Director's Award recipient after a dominant season for the Dustdevils. The women's basketball center averaged a double-double with 10.4 points and 10.3 rebounds per game, earning Newcomer of the Year honors while emerging as one of the program's most impactful players.
Ian Rono earned the 2026 Male Athletic Director's Award following a historic freshman season in cross country. Rono captured the Lone Star Conference individual title and went on to become the first freshman All-American in TAMIU history, finishing 11th at the NCAA Division II Championships to cap one of the most decorated seasons in program history.
Eddie Saenz was named the 2026 Male President's Scholar-Athlete of the Year, recognizing excellence in both academics and athletics. The senior kinesiology major posted a 3.62 GPA while producing 110 career hits and 16 home runs for the Dustdevil baseball program, earning Lone Star Conference recognition during his career .
Angie Morgan received the 2026 Female President's Scholar-Athlete of the Year award, highlighted by her success in the classroom and on the court. The senior kinesiology major maintained a 3.5 GPA, earned four Lone Star Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll selections and appeared in 101 career games for the Dustdevils, scoring 577 points .
2026 TAMIU Student-Athlete Awards Winners
Strength & Conditioning
Male: Eddie Saenz
Female: Angie Morgan
Cross Country
Men's Most Improved Runner: George Sanchez
Women's Most Improved Runner: Brenda Chepkemboi
Men's Most Valuable Runner: Ian Rono
Women's Most Valuable Runner: Fancy Jelagat
Department Awards
Female Freshman of the Year: Jaela Wade
Male Freshman of the Year: Derek Garcia
Newcomer of the Year: Rachael Emmanuel
Male Breakout Athlete of the Year: Ciro Benavides
Female Breakout Athlete of the Year: Margret Nyamukondiwa
Most Valuable Player: Ian Rono
Career Achievement Award: Angie Morgan
Baseball
Hitter of the Year: Eddie Saenz
Pitcher of the Year: AJ Sanchez
Teammate Award: Charles Hayden McManus
Men's Golf
Most Valuable Player: Juan Monckeberg
Women's Golf
Most Valuable Player: Margret Nyamukondiwa
Cheer
Veteran of the Year: Greta Soto
Rookie of the Year: Alyna Garcia Perez
Best Showmanship: Daylah Contreras
Leadership Award: Bryanna Ornelas
Dance
Veteran of the Year: Christina Gallegos
Rookie of the Year: Alexsandra Leyva
Most Improved: Karla Soto
Leadership Award: Hailey Ann Quiroz
Women's Basketball
Most Charges: Bridgette Tello, Jayden Smallwood
Most Rebounds and Steals: Rachael Emmanuel
Dustdevil Award: Angie Morgan
Men's Basketball
Academic Award: Filip Mamic
Softball
Freshman of the Year: Austyn Marriage
Gold Glove: Tori Espinoza
Perseverance Award: Kylie Goad, Nevaeh Herrera
Most Improved: Ci-hara Wessling
Men's Soccer
Best All-Around Player: Gustavo Suarez
Offensive Player of the Year: Felipe Garcia
Defensive Player of the Year: Jorge Delgado
Angel Guerrero Service Award: Heiko Dromer
Women's Soccer
Freshman of the Year: Ana Lucia Arroyo
Offensive Player of the Year: Julissa Gonzalez
Defensive Player of the Year: Valeria Olivas
Best All-Around Player: Anessa Barrera
Volleyball
Most Valuable Player: Sierra Sanchez
Defensive Player of the Year: Samantha Estrada
Offensive Player of the Year: Mia Molina
Dustdevil Award: Sierra Long
Final Awards
Female Athletic Director's Award: Rachael Emmanuel
Male Athletic Director's Award: Ian Rono
Male President's Scholar-Athlete: Eddie Saenz
Female President's Scholar-Athlete: Angie Morgan
The banquet concluded with senior recognition and closing remarks, closing out a night that celebrated another successful year for TAMIU Athletics.
