MELBOURNE, Fla. – Five Panthers from the Florida Tech softball team were named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team, the organization announced Tuesday afternoon.
Audrey Gurule,
Ella Niles,
Haley Rider,
Kate Rodel, and
Mia Terito earned the honor after excelling both academically and on the field during the 2026 season.
Selected by College Sports Communicators, the Academic All-District teams honor the nation's top student-athletes for their success both on the court and in the classroom.
Gurule, a sophomore majoring in computer science, carries a 3.82 GPA while also pursuing a business administration minor at Florida Tech. The Georgia native started 38 games and appeared in 41 contests, totaling 17 hits, 17 runs scored, four extra-base hits, three RBI, and five stolen bases. Primarily playing second base, Gurule posted a .956 fielding percentage with 47 putouts and 39 assists while committing just four errors. She also delivered in big moments, recording her best game of the season against No. 6 Saint Leo with a 3-for-8 performance and three runs scored.
Niles earned CSC Academic All-District recognition for the third consecutive season while maintaining a 3.85 cumulative GPA in business administration. The senior appeared in all 49 games, including 45 starts in center field, where she hit .261 with two doubles, four RBI, and 11 stolen bases. Defensively, Niles anchored the outfield with 53 putouts and three assists while committing only one error for a .982 fielding percentage, earning SSC All-Defensive Team honors. She also wrapped up her Panther career ranked among the program's top-10 in runs scored with 116 and walks with 57.
Rider, a sophomore majoring in biomedical science with a 3.91 GPA, started 33 of the Panthers' 37 games at designated player. Rider provided power in the lineup, finishing with 11 extra-base hits, including three home runs, along with 25 RBI and 14 walks. One of her biggest moments came in a series-clinching win over Rollins, where she launched a deep home run and drove in a career-high five runs.
Rodel, a sophomore business administration major with a 3.85 GPA, enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2026. The catcher hit .315 with seven doubles, seven home runs, and 18 RBI while throwing out 32 percent of attempted base stealers behind the plate. She also ranked among the SSC leaders in caught stealing and finished second on the team in sacrifice bunts with 12. The Idaho Falls native delivered a career-best performance against Palm Beach Atlantic, going 3-for-4 with four RBI.
Terito, a junior majoring in business administration, maintained a 3.65 GPA while serving as a key piece of the Panthers lineup and defense. The Oviedo native totaled 28 hits, including three doubles and two triples, while scoring four runs and driving in 15 RBI. Starting all 49 games at shortstop, Terito anchored the infield with 75 putouts and 68 assists.
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