BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Head coach Mike Griffith added four newcomers who will join the defending Big South regular season champions.

Alex Griffiths (Solihull, United Kingdom / Solihull HS) will join the Gardner-Webb men's tennis program in January of 2020, while three others – Cathal Butler (Dublin, Ireland / Belvedere College), John Spring (Miramar Beach, Fla. / South Walton HS) and Christian van Wyke (Pretoria, South Africa / Waterkloof HS) will join the team in August of 2020.

"Today we signed a large class," said the reigning Big South Conference Coach of the Year. "The three common traits that each of these players have are as follows: They are intense, hard workers and know how to play doubles.  All were attracted to Gardner-Webb because of the success we have had, but most importantly they liked the team chemistry they either saw first-hand or heard about through their communication with others in the tennis world. I am very pleased they decided to be a Runnin' Bulldog, and I look forward to being their coach."

Alex Griffiths is the son of Kathy Griffiths and will join the program in less than two months. In the UK, he was ranked in the top-30 and won a national doubles championship.

"He's a big ball striker who will play very high in the doubles lineup and will be counted on for his immediate help next semester," said Griffith.

Cathal Butler is currently ranked eighth overall in Ireland will come to Gardner-Webb from Belvedere College. Butler has won numerous championships, including Ireland's U18 championship in 2018 when he defeated top-ranked Jordon McKeowon in Dublin, Ireland. Additionally, he was the runner-up in the U18 national doubles championship this year.

"Cathal's team-first attitude will fit in well with our program," said Griffith. "He is a fantastic athlete and has his best tennis ahead of him."

John Spring is the son of Rick and Tresa Campbell and will make the move to Boiling Springs, N.C. from Miramar Beach, Fla. The three-star recruit attends South Walton HS and was ranked as 184th in the 2019 recruiting rankings according to TennisRPI. He finished third in his age group in the state of Florida last year.

"I saw John during a tennis camp this summer, and he is very intense and plays with grit and determination," said Griffith, who has been at Gardner-Webb since 2002. "He is going to thrive in the college atmosphere."

Christian van Wyk is the son of Chrisjan and Lorraine van Wyk and attends Waterkloff High School. To date, the Pretoria, South Africa native has a tournament record of 50-18.

"He's one of those guys that you hate to see on someone else's team but would love him if he was on yours," said Griffith. "His record speaks for itself. He knows how to win."

In closing, Griffith said: "All of these players have one common theme; they play with grit and intensity, and they play hard for each other. It's an exciting time for Gardner-Webb men's tennis."

The Runnin' Bulldogs will open their spring 2020 schedule  at Furman on Saturday, January 25.