Athens, Ga. — University of North Carolina senior Reese Brantmeier is the recipient of the Elite Scholar-Athlete award for the 2026 NCAA Division I Women’s Tennis Championship. This season marks the second-straight year Brantmeier has earned the Scholar-Athlete award.
Brantmeier recently completed her studies at Carolina where she double majored in exercise and sport science and studio art with a minor in global cinema. The Whitewater, Wis. native held a GPA of 3.956. She was presented with the award Wednesday evening ahead of the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals in Athens, Ga.
The senior is currently in her final NCAA postseason run at UNC. Brantmeier heads into the quarterfinal matchup as the no. 2 ranked singles player in the nation. Most notably, she captured the 2025 NCAA Singles National title this fall.
The Elite Scholar-Athlete award recognizes the true essence of student-athletes by honoring the individuals who have reached the pinnacle of competition at the national championship level in their sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among their peers. The Elite Scholar-Athlete award is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA’s championships.
Eligible student-athletes are sophomores or above academically who have participated in a sport for at least two years with their school. All ties are broken based on the number of credits completed.
For more information on the Elite Scholar-Athlete award winners, visit https://www.ncaa.org/elitescholarathlete.
Brantmeier recently completed her studies at Carolina where she double majored in exercise and sport science and studio art with a minor in global cinema. The Whitewater, Wis. native held a GPA of 3.956. She was presented with the award Wednesday evening ahead of the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals in Athens, Ga.
The senior is currently in her final NCAA postseason run at UNC. Brantmeier heads into the quarterfinal matchup as the no. 2 ranked singles player in the nation. Most notably, she captured the 2025 NCAA Singles National title this fall.
The Elite Scholar-Athlete award recognizes the true essence of student-athletes by honoring the individuals who have reached the pinnacle of competition at the national championship level in their sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among their peers. The Elite Scholar-Athlete award is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA’s championships.
Eligible student-athletes are sophomores or above academically who have participated in a sport for at least two years with their school. All ties are broken based on the number of credits completed.
For more information on the Elite Scholar-Athlete award winners, visit https://www.ncaa.org/elitescholarathlete.
