Christopher Newport University Athletics

Becoming the very first cheerleader inducted in the Christopher Newport University Athletics Hall of Fame, Gretchen Jewell undeniably put together a career worthy of the recognition while a four-year member of the Captains' spirit squad. While a member of the Captains' competition cheerleading team, Jewell was a part of the first ever national championship won by the program. In 2014, Jewell and the rest of the Captains finished first at College Open Nationals in Myrtle Beach, setting the stage for a team that would win four titles in a six-year span. A staple on the CNU cheerleading squad, Jewell also helped the Captains win the Capital Athletic Cheer Challenge Championship and appeared on the sidelines of many Captains' football and basketball games over the course of her career.

Meanwhile, in the classroom Jewell was a precedent-setting academic achiever for Christopher Newport athletics. She completed her undergraduate studies with a perfect 4.0 cumulative GPA and was recognized at Commencement as the Klich Academic Achievement Award winner honoring the highest GPA among graduates in 2014. A two-time Academic All-State and four-time Academic All-Conference selection, she majored in in Political Science while also posting over 140 hours of community service, was a Canon Leadership Scholar, and a member of Omicron Delta Kappa and Chi Alpha Sigma. Jewell was accepted to multiple law schools before going on to graduate with her degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 2017.