Western Nebraska Community College women’s basketball player Jayla Owen was recognized by the NJCAA on Tuesday with being selected as a member of the All-American team.

Owen earned a spot on the Division I women’s basketball Honorable Mention All-American team. It is the seventh straight year that a WNCC women’s player has been tabbed as an All-American selection.

                For Owen, who came to WNCC from Dorval, Quebec, Canada, she is thankful for her first year at WNCC. Owen said earning the NJCAA All-American honor is special.

                “It means a lot that I am an NJCAA All-American. I gave everything I had this season and I guess it showed and paid off,” Owen said. “My freshman season was fun. I enjoyed it a lot and I’m grateful Coach Isaac gave me this opportunity.”

                The honor came somewhat of a surprise to Owen, but she couldn’t have done it without her teammates.

                “I am a little surprised, but I was surprised when I won South Region IX Player of the Year,” she said. “But it (the NJCAA honor) means a lot to me and none of it would’ve been possible without my teammates. They helped me get this honor by trusting me and finding me on the court at the right times and being there for me.”

                Owen had a standout year appearing in all 29 games for the Cougars averaging 12.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists, while shooting 84.3 percent from the free throw line. Owen had 19 games of double figures and three games of scoring over 20 points. Her season high was 27 points against Otero College on January 27.

                Owen said that she improved throughout the season, especially on the defensive side.

                “I think I improved a lot during the year not only as a player but as a person,” she said. “I learned a lot about myself and others. On the court I think I improved especially when it comes to defense. I took pride in defense this year and I can say I improved a lot in that aspect of my game.”

                Two other Region IX players were selected All-American. Casper sophomore guard Sandra Frau-Garcia earned Second Team honors, while Northwest College sophomore Darla Hernandez was honorable mention.

                Owen’s honor is the seventh straight year that a Cougar has been All-American. The previous seven included First Team honors of Ale’Jah Douglas in 2021-22 and honorable mention in 2020-21; First Team honors for Tishara Morehouse in 2019-20; First Team honors for Merle Wiehl in 2018-19 and Second Team honors in 2017-18; and Third Team honor for Sladjana Rakovic in 2016-17.

                Owen’s goal for next year is to improve even more as she tries to be a 2-time All-American like Douglas and Wiehl were. Douglas is currently playing at Clemson University and Wiehl played at Santa Clara University. Morehouse just finished her collegiate career at Florida Gulf Coast and declared for Monday’s WNBA draft.

                “My goal for next year is to get better in all aspects of my game,” she said. “I need to turn my weakness into strengths and of course I want to win a championship.”

                That is something that eluded the Cougars this season as they fell short of a regional title and a berth at the national tournament. Still, the Cougars had a stellar season, finishing 21-9 including a win over then No. 5 New Mexico Junior College.

                “I can’t think of a specific highlight during the year, but I think that the whole year was a highlight for me,” she said. “I had fun every time I went on the court and played and I worked really hard every single day. I accomplished a lot as a freshman and I’m very grateful for this honor and it means a lot. Thank you to everybody; I really appreciate it.”