ODESSA, Texas (May 4, 2026) – Thanks to the generosity and support of Edgardo Madrid & Associates, The University of Texas Permian Basin Athletics Department has announced Jessica Cantrell (Softball), Will Tate (Men's Golf) and Nehal Naidoo (Men's Tennis) as the April Student-Athletes of the Month.

Cantrell, a sophomore right-handed pitcher from Elgin, Texas, made nine appearances and seven starts in the circle during April. She was 5-3 with five complete games, two shutouts and a 3.04 ERA. In all, she allowed 50 hits and 29 runs, and struck out 36 batters while walking only eight in 50.2 innings. Cantrell pitched a complete game during all four weekends of the month and helped UTPB win at least one game in five straight series (No. 12 Angelo State University, Sul Ross State University, Western New Mexico University, St. Edward's University, Midwestern State University), picking up a win in each of those series. Offensively, two of Cantrell's three hits during the month went for a home run (.529 SLG).

Cantrell's list of highlights in April is long. Cantrell led UTPB to its first-ever win against Angelo State in San Angelo (won game two 3-2). It was the Falcons' first nationally-ranked win since April 22, 2022. Cantrell threw exactly 100 pitches and allowed six hits and two runs while not issuing a single walk against the Rambelles. It was arguably the biggest win of her career so far. Cantrell was then the winning pitcher when UTPB surpassed its win total in Lone Star Conference play from each of the last two seasons (5th LSC win of the season) in a 4-0 game-one win vs. Sul Ross. The win against the Lobos not only saw Cantrell shine in the circle with a two-hit, one-walk shutout, but also at the plate as she aided her own cause with a solo home run in the fifth inning. She struck out seven Lobos, threw 95 pitchers, and took a no-hitter into the fifth inning. The only other previous batter to reach against her was via a two-out walk in the second inning. Cantrell tossed four 1-2-3 innings and faced 24 batters against SRSU, just three over the minimum. Lastly, Cantrell pitched a one-hit shutout to help UTPB break the previous program record of eight LSC wins set in 2022, earning the record-tying win in an 8-0 game-one win vs. Midwestern State. Cantrell also threw the first of UTPB's first back-to-back shutouts in LSC action in program history vs. MSU, while her game-one win vs. MSU was UTPB's first run-rule win in LSC play since March 2022. Cantrell was nine-up, nine-down through three perfect innings, but a bunt single to lead off the top of the fourth inning was the Mustangs' lone baserunner of the game. Cantrell ended the game just as she started it, with nine straight outs, finishing the contest with a line of one hit, no runs and no walks against her.

This is the second time this Spring that Cantrell has been recognized with the Women's Athlete of the Month honors (February, April).

UTPB Head Softball Coach David Martinez said, "Jessica definitely had a breakout sophomore season. It is clear the hard work she put in during the offseason translated directly to the circle this year. Also, it has been impressive to see her evolve from a reliable freshman into a truly dominant force in the LSC."

Tate, a senior from Reading, England, put together a top-five finish while leading the Falcons at both the Palm Valley Classic and the LSC Championship. At the Palm Valley Classic, Tate (69-68-69; 206) shot under-par during all three rounds and tied for fifth place out of 108 golfers at 10-under (second tournament in a row finishing 10-under). In addition, Tate's three-round score of 206 was tied for the fourth-lowest score in program history. Then came the postseason accolades as Tate became the second player in program history to be named First-Team All-LSC and became the second Falcon to earn two All-LSC certificates in their career. Then at the LSC Championship, Tate (77-69-72; 218; +2) finished in third place after shooting plus-two and became the first UTPB golfer with two top-five finishes (All-Tournament honors) in their career at the conference tournament. Tate's effort at the LSC Championship and all season long has helped UTPB men's golf qualify for the NCAA Regional field as the No. 5 Seed.

Tate is currently ranked No. 25 nationally in NCAA Division II and No. 4 in the South Central Region. This is the third time in 2025-26 that Tate has been recognized with the Men's Athlete of the Month honors. In addition, this is Tate's sixth Student-Athlete of the Month award in the last two years (October 2024, March 2025, April 2025, September 2025, March 2026, April 2026). In 2024-25, Tate was named UTPB's Edgardo Madrid & Associates Men's Student-Athlete of the Year.

UTPB Head Golf Coach Paul Chavez said, "Another record-setting moment for Falcon golf. Will Tate has set the standard of excellence for our golf program. I am extremely proud and excited that he has won this award yet again."

Naidoo, a freshman from Torbay, Auckland, New Zealand, went 5-1 in singles during the month of April, all against LSC competition, with his only loss in the final month being a three-set match where he fell 15-13 in a third-set super tiebreaker. Naidoo finished out this season on a five-match winning streak in singles, including beating a nationally-ranked player from No. 10 LCU (No. 18 Pablo Segura) at No. 2 singles during the final match of the season. It was UTPB's lone singles win this season vs. a nationally-ranked player. Naidoo led UTPB with in singles wins on the season and was the lone Falcon with a winning record in singles play (10-7). During the final two weeks of the season, Naidoo earned LSC Doubles Team of the Week honors (4/23/26) with fellow freshman Joao D'Amroim, and was named the LSC Singles Player of the Week (4/29/26) during the final week of the season. He was then named the 2026 LSC Freshman of the Year while also earning Honorable Mention All-LSC for singles.

UTPB Head Tennis Coach Chris Tolson said, "Nehal is definitely deserving of this award. He has worked hard all season, and it was fun to see that work combine with his talent because his game just took off this month. Winning his last five matches against great competition, it was a fun month and was a fun end of the season watching Nehal. I am excited to see where we can take Nehal's game next year."