AN ANTONIO – UTSA Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Aaron Fox announced the newest 2026-27 addition to the squad on Friday, in the form of San Antonio native Kira Albino.
“Kira is a great addition to our program as a local runner who has progressed every year and just keeps getting better,” Fox said. “We’re excited to keep this talent in San Antonio to help her reach her potential in competition and in the classroom.”
Albino will remain in the Alamo City after a stellar career at Johnson High School, where she earned National High School Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (NHSTFXCCA) All-America honors as a senior in 2026 with a top 5k cross country time of 18:49.60 at the Alamo Heights Invitational. She was a fixture on the All-District team in every season from 2022-26 and reached the UIL Cross Country State Championships the past two seasons, with a 51st-place finish in 2025. She also earned an Academic All-District nod in each of those four campaigns thanks to a 4.0 GPA. A three-time All-City pick, Albino reached the UIL 6A Region IV Championships and finished sixth in the 3,200-meter at 11:14.40 and eighth in the 1,600-meter at 5:10.20. Albino also received the Presidential Service Award four times, was a Johnson PTSA Scholarship award winner in 2026, a College Board AP Scholar and a College Board Hispanic Award recipient.
In addition to her performance in cross country, Albino found success in the 3,200m, clocking a top time of 11:10.22, the 1,600m at 5:09.92 and the 800m at 2:22.40. With the Jaguar cross country team, Albino helped the team to District 28-6A titles in 2023, 2024 and 2025, while recording a runner-up finish in 2022. The squad claimed the UIL 6A Region IV crown in 2024 and 2025, with a second-place finish in 2023. On the track, the Jaguars picked up silver at the district level in 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026.
- UTSA -