HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. – Gardner-Webb men's swimmer Nathan Lile received his George A. Christenberry Award for Academic Excellence Thursday evening during the Big South Conference's annual Hall of Fame ceremony.

The event was held in conjunction with the league's spring meetings at the Marriott Resort in Hilton Head.

The award is given to the male and female student-athletes who attain the highest cumulative GPA during their college careers. The honor is named for George A. Christenberry, the former President of Augusta College (now Georgia Regents University-Augusta) and one of the founders of the Big South Conference. A member of the Big South Hall of Fame, Christenberry served as the League's first President from 1983-86.

Lile, who was a double major in Computer Science and Philosophy, maintained a 4.00 cumulative GPA over his four years at Gardner-Webb - proving to be a major factor in the classroom as well as in the pool for the Runnin' Bulldogs.

The Waynesville, N.C., native was named the 2016 CCSA Most Outstanding Male Swimmer, claiming the honors for the second year in a row. At the Conference Championship meet, Lile set four Conference records, won three individual events and was a pivotal part of two relay victories.

A four-time CCSA Academic All-Conference member, and a two-time CCSA Scholar Athlete of the Year, Lile capped off his senior year by becoming the first male swimmer in GWU history to ever qualify for the NCAA Championships. While at the Championships, Lile was honored with the NCAA Elite 90 award, which is given to the student athlete with the highest cumulative grade point average competing at the finals' site.

Lile will continue with his pursuits this summer, as he has made Olympic Trial times in the 50 Free, 100 Back, and the 100 Fly. Lile will swim alongside the best swimmers in the United States, June 26- July 3, at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Neb., with hopes of making the 2016 U.S. Olympic team.

Lile graduated with his class on May 7, earning the GWU Most Outstanding Male Graduate medal during commencement.