Champions for the second time

The American Criminal Justice Association at UTRGV, or ACJA, has won the Sweepstakes Trophy for the second time at a regional conference. 

ACJA members attended the Lambda Alpha Epsilon Regional Conference Oct. 26-28 at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville and competed in firearms, crime scene investigation, physical agility and academic exams, winning first place by accumulation of points.

Matthew Jacob Rodriguez, a senior and ACJA member, participated at the regional conference.

“It felt good to see that your hard work finally paid off,” Rodriguez said. 

He was part of last year’s team, which also won in regionals. 

“I am very proud of our team and our advisers,” Rodriguez said. “Without their help, I don’t think we would have achieved it.” 

The organization’s members practiced for the competition. 

“Every Saturday, we go to the shooting range to practice different techniques,” Rodriguez said.

Those competing in physical agility had to stay fit. 

“We had spent two months before the competition training everything in the four areas of the competition,” said Francisco Romo, a freshman and ACJA member.

This was Romo’s first competition. 

“It was exciting, definitely something new,” he said.

Romo said he was not expecting his hard work would help him win first place in the Lower Division Firearms Team category.

“I think the most challenging part was the preparation for it and getting over the nerves when the competition started,” he said.

Desiree Garcia, a senior and president of ACJA, said the nationwide organization of students majoring or minoring in criminal justice receives guidance from advisers who have been in law enforcement. 

Garcia said there are some requirements for those who want to join the organization.

“We have standards like UTRGV,” she said. “That means you are passing your classes with a 2.5 GPA and participating in the organization with us.”

Garcia said the organization meets from 3 to 4 p.m at least once a week in Interdisciplinary Academic Building Room 2.218, where the group discusses fundraisers and other matters. 

She said the objective of the organization is to help and push students for post-graduation success in law enforcement.

“For those people who are interested in joining the group, just come,” Romo said. “It’s fun and very interactive. You also have the opportunity to meet wonderful people.”

In the Academics category, Francisco Ortiz received third place in Corrections (Lower Division) and Noe Figueroa earned third place in Criminal Law (Upper Division).

In the Physical Training category, Jair Medina received third place (Males 25 and under) and Alexis Nieto, third place (Females 25 and under). 

In the Crime Scene Investigation category, Kayla Navarro, Noe Figueroa and Luis Vasquez received third place (Upper Division) and criminal justice Lecturer Marguerite Dewitt, Desiree Garcia and Allison Hauser placed first (Professional Division).

In the Firearms Team category, Francisco Romo, Luis Vasquez and Alberto Garay (Lower Division) garnered first place.   

Jessie Casares, Jair Medina and Kayla Navarro won second place in the Firearms Team category (Upper Division).

Jacob Rodriguez, Brendaly Quinonez and Noe Figueroa (Upper Division) placed first in the Firearms Team category (Upper Division).

Criminal justice Lecturer Michael Sanchez, Desiree Garcia and Marco Betancourt received first place in the Firearms Team category (Professional Division).

In the Firearms Individual category (Lower Division), Francisco Romo placed first and Luis Vasquez, second. 

In the Firearms Individual category (Upper Division), Jessie Casares earned first place; Jacob Rodriguez, second place; and Noe Figueroa, third place.

In the Firearms Individual category (Professional Division), criminal justice Lecturer Sanchez placed second and Marco Betancourt earned third place.