Jorge Martin Sampedro of UTRGV has been named the 2026 Men's Golf Student-Athlete of the Year by the Southland Conference. He led the team with a scoring average of 71.5 and earned several accolades, including the SLC Conference Golfer of the Year and Freshman of the Year. Alongside Sampedro, Rodolphe Cicala, Esteban Gonzalez, and Brock Porter were honored on the SLC All-Academic Team for maintaining GPAs above 3.25. The UTRGV men's golf team secured their first-ever SLC Championship and NCAA Regional appearance this season. Sampedro's impressive performance included a record-setting seventh under par 63 in a single round.

By the Numbers
  • Sampedro finished the season ranked 341st in Scoreboard rankings with a scoring average of 71.5.
  • He achieved six top-10 finishes, including a third place at the SLC Championship and a 10th place at the NCAA Bryan Regional.
State of Play
  • The UTRGV men's golf team has shown notable improvement with their first SLC Championship and NCAA Regional appearance.
  • Three UTRGV players were also recognized in the top ranks of the All-Academic Team, demonstrating academic excellence alongside athletic achievement.
What's Next

With Sampedro's success, UTRGV aims to build on this momentum for the upcoming season, focusing on enhancing recruitment and maintaining performance standards. The coaching staff will likely focus on developing their squad to continuously compete at high levels in the Southland Conference.

Bottom Line

Jorge Martin Sampedro's recognition highlights UTRGV's commitment to excelling both academically and athletically, setting a precedent for future golfers in the program. His achievements may inspire a stronger push for excellence across all sports at UTRGV.