LIVINGSTON, Ala. - The University of West Alabama Athletics Department placed seven representatives on the Spring GSC All-Academic team on Thursday.

Softball's Eleanor De Block, Baseball's Austin Thacker, Women's Tennis Shaira Rivera, Men's Tennis' Afonso Portugal and Federico Iturbe, Men's Track Dedric Hicks, and Women's Track Kiona McCallister were the seven Tigers named to the prestigious GSC All-Academic team for their respective sport. 

Along with this, 85 UWA spring student-athletes were named to the GSC Honor Roll.

Softball: Eleanor De Block

De Block earns back-to-back GSC All-Academic selections and further adds to an already crowded 2026 resume. On the field, the senior pitcher recorded the best season of her career and one of the greatest single seasons in UWA history. De Block registered a pitching line of 25-10, 1.62 ERA, 177 SO, 1.00 WHIP, .169 opposing batting average, and a West Alabama single-season record 11 complete game shutouts. In the classroom, De Block also shined as she accumulated a 3.75 GPA as a Biology major.

Baseball: Austin Thacker

Thacker adds another accolade to his impressive 2026 season. As the Tigers' everyday second baseman, Thacker hit .307  and scored 24 runs. A consistent bat in the order, Thacker helped UWA to a GSC Regular Season Championship and was rewarded for his play in the regular season with a second team All-GSC selection. In the classroom, Thacker is in the midst of obtaining his MBA and carries a 3.91 GPA.

Women's Tennis: Shaira Rivera

Rivera adds a GSC All-Academic selection to a 2026 resume that includes GSC Player of the Year and ITA Singles and Doubles All-American recognitions. Rivera won a total of 33 matches on the year, posting a 20-2 doubles record and a 13-7 singles record all on Line One. At the end of the season, Rivera was ranked No. 7 in the country in singles and No. 2 in doubles, proving that she stands as one of the best collegiate tennis players in the country. In the classroom, Rivera is a Sport Management major and holds a 3.4 GPA. 

Men's Tennis: Afonso Portugal, Federico Iturbe 

Men's Tennis secured the most GSC All-Academic selections for the Tigers, with Portugal and Iturbe earning the acknowledgment. Portugal was incredible for UWA on Line Two singles and Line Three Doubles, accumulating a total of 32 wins which led the team. The graduate held a 16-5 record in both singles and doubles, leading to a First Team All-GSC selection. In the classroom, Portugal is a Sport Management major and registered a 3.7 GPA.

For Iturbe, he is the reigning GSC Champion Scholar Athlete. The junior has been the epitome of what it means to be a student-athlete as he holds a perfect 4.00 GPA. While he's studious in the classroom, Iturbe also turned in the best season of his career on the court in 2026. On Line Four singles and Line Two doubles, Iturbe finished the year 13-4 in singles and 16-5 in doubles to help lead UWA back to the GSC Tournament and the NCAA South Regional.

Men's Track: Dedric Hicks

Hicks solidified his status as one of the greatest shot putters in UWA Track and Field history with his performance in 2026. The senior won the GSC Championship in the event and holds the top eight marks in the conference. Hicks' top mark of the outdoor season came at the Falcon Classic when he recorded a throw of 17.46m which was .02 meters off from his personal best. That mark catapulted Hicks to the NCAA Championships which stood as the first appearance of his career. In the classroom, Hicks is an Exercise Science major and carries a 3.67 GPA. 

Women's Track: Kiona McCallister 

After a three-year basketball career at UWA, McCallister switched over to Women's Track and Field in 2025-26 and earns an GSC All-Academic acknowledgment in her first and only year in the program. The senior competed in the 800m and 400m Hurdles events for the Tigers in the Outdoor Season. At the GSC Championships, McCallister finished fifth with a time of 1:07.38 which stands as her personal best. In the classroom, McCallister graduated with her bachelor's degree in December and is now in pursuit of a Master's Degree in Finance, holding a 3.7 GPA.