The 2026 National Junior College Athletic Association Rawlings Gold Glove Award recipients were announced via press release on Thursday by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA).

Sophomore shortstop Jasmine Benavidez was awarded a prestigious Rawlings Gold Glove Award for her exemplary defensive performance for the Leopards this season.

Benavidez, a native of Jarrell, Texas, fielded successfully 200 of 206 total opportunities this season, having made just six errors for a .971 fielding percentage. Benavidez improved her fielding by .047 from a year ago. She also batted .425 with an on-base percentage of .496, 19 doubles, eight triples, seven home runs, 68 runs batted in, 27 walks, and 26 stolen bases.

In 121 career games, Benavidez committed successfully fielded 333 of 350 total chances for a career fielding percentage of .951.

The award earned by Benavidez capped a Temple season where they led the nation with the fewest errors (33) in 66 games and best fielding percentage (.978) in 1,531 total chances.

"Sometimes, defensive production gets overlooked," Temple College head coach Kadie Berlin-George. "J has been a force at shortstop for us for two years. She is leaving big shoes to fill."

Pitcher Natalie Klenda of McLennan Community College was the other Region V recipient of a Gold Glove Award.

Another Texas collegiate player from the area, former Lake Belton standout second baseman Alexis Ortiz of Trinity Valley Community College, also received a Rawlings Gold Glove Award.

Temple finished the season with a 58-8 mark, with a NTJCAC regular season championship, Southwest B Region Championship, and NJCAA Division I National Runner-up placement at the 2026 JUCO World Series this past weekend.