CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Big South Conference has announced its winners of the annual Christenberry Award for Academic Excellence, given to the male and female student-athlete who attain the highest GPA during their undergraduate collegiate careers at each Big South institution. From Gardner-Webb, Theo Drescher of the men's swimming team and Reese Jones of the women's lacrosse team have been selected by the league office.

From Gainesville, Va., Drescher has been a four year member of the Gardner-Webb University swimming program. While attending Gardner-Webb, Drescher has been named to the Dean's List twice, President's List six times, and graduated as part of Alpha Chi with a cumulative 4.0 GPA with his degree in Graphic Design, while working on a minor in Theater Arts. Drescher has posted a decorated career in the pool as well, including Third Team All-CCSA honors as a member of the 800-yard freestyle relay team as a sophomore, and a fifth place finish in the 500-yard freestyle at the CCSA finals as a junior, and a second place run as a member of the 800-yard relay team during his senior season at the ASUN Championships.

From Edmonton, Alberta… Reese Jones has been a four year member of the Gardner-Webb University women's lacrosse program. While attending Gardner-Webb, Jones has become a member of the honors college, been named to the Dean's List twice, President's List six times, and has graduated as part of Alpha Chi with a cumulative 4.0 GPA with her degree in Biology, with a concentration in Biomedical Science, while also working on a minor in Spanish. On the field, Jones started 40 games and made 65 appearances over her 4-year career, scoring 5 times for the Runnin' Bulldogs, picking up 49 ground balls, and causing 30 turnovers, including a career-best 12 in the 2025 season.