T-Birds Earn Highest Ron Case Cup Finish
New Mexico Junior College tied for their highest finish in program history placing third in the 2025-26 Ron Case Cup presented by Daktronics with a total of 159 points.
The Ron Case Cup presented by Daktronics is an NJCAA season-long award that is given to the institutions who have excelled at the national level in athletics.
"Earning a third place national finish in the Ron Case Cup presented by Daktronics is a great accomplishment for New Mexico Junior College and something we're very proud of," NMJC Director of Athletics Kayla Weaver said. "This recognition is a credit to our student-athletes, coaches, and staff and the work they put in every day. Success like this doesn't happen by accident. It takes commitment, consistency, and a lot of hard work across every program. It's also a testament to the strong leadership and incredible support we have at NMJC. The investment in our athletic programs and the belief in what we're building continue to create opportunities for success. That support plays a major role in allowing our student-athletes and coaches to compete at a high level."
The Thunderbirds finished fifth in the 2024-25 with of 153.5 points, in third place in 2023-24 with 162.5 points, and in fourth place in 2022-23 with 139.5 points. The T-Birds have finished in the top 10 for the sixth consecutive time and in the top 5 four years straight.
Points for each sport are earned at the highest level of competition offered in each of the three (3) divisions. A first-place finish earns 20 points, second place earns 19 points, third place 18, etc. Each institution is allowed to earn points in their top-five sports per gender, with a college program having the potential to earn points in ten (10) total sports.
2026 is the seventh year that Daktronics has sponsored this award in conjunction with the National Alliance of Two-Year College Athletic Administrators (NATYCAA).
NMJC placed third this season behind Barton County CC (2nd place-167.5), College of Du Page (2nd place-167.5), and Iowa Western Community College (1st place-179).
10 Thunderbird teams earned points towards the 2025-26 Ron Case Cup presented by Daktronics with their national championship finishes.
NMJC had five women's sports earn national championship qualifying performances. The Thunderbirds scored 14 points in women's cross country (7th place), 19 points for indoor women's track and field (2nd place), 19 points in women's basketball (2nd place), 20 points for outdoor women's track and field (1st place), and 16 points for women's golf (5th place).
The men had five teams count toward the school's overall total. The T-Birds picked up 14 points for men's cross country (7th place), 19 in indoor men's track and field (2nd place), nine points in men's basketball (Round of 16), 20 in outdoor men's track and field (1st place), and nine points for men's golf (12th place).
The T-Birds completed the calendar year with 12 sports making it to their respective nationals.
On the men's side, NMJC made it to postseason championships in men's cross country, men's half marathon, men's indoor track & field, men's basketball, men's golf, and men's outdoor track & field.
The women had six sports make it to nationals this season with women's cross country, women's half marathon, women's indoor track & field, women's basketball, women's golf, and women's outdoor track & field.
"This achievement reflects the strong culture and standard of excellence that has been built within NMJC Athletics," Weaver said. "I'm grateful to work alongside such dedicated coaches and staff. We're proud of this accomplishment and look forward to building on this momentum next year."
The T-Birds will turn the page on 2025-26 and are ready to start the 2026-27 athletic season August 21 with volleyball at the Midland Kickoff Classic in Midland, Texas.