Academic Impact
BUFFALO TWP — It's been a pretty good year for Brendan Lynch.
How good? No matter the season, Lynch made a huge impact during his senior year at Freeport:
On the football field in the fall, Lynch rushed for 1,188 yards and 13 touchdowns and also passed for 628 yards and eight more scores in leading the Yellowjackets to a section title and the WPIAL Class AA playoffs.
On the basketball court in the winter, Lynch scored 19.8 points per game.
On the track this spring, Lynch ran a time of 11.3 seconds in the 100-meter dash and also anchored the school's 400-meter relay.
Not too shabby.
Lynch, though, is more proud of something that doesn't show up on the stat sheets.
“Something more people don't know about me is that I put a lot of work in the classroom,” Lynch said. “Academics is always the most important thing for me.”
That hard work paid off in the form of a $5,000 scholarship handed to him as one of four scholar-athletes recognized by the WPIAL.
“I was very excited, very shocked also, when I found out I received the scholarship,” Lynch said. “I'm also very appreciative.”
More hard work is ahead of Lynch as he will attend Case Western Reserve University next year, where he will also play football.
Lynch said he received interest from many schools in all three sports.
Case Western, located near Cleveland and one of the most prestigious universities in the country, was the perfect fit for Lynch, who intends to be a doctor one day.
“It's the best opportunity for me at one of the best schools in the country,” Lynch said. “That really made a huge impact on my decision.”
Playing football was just a bonus, Lynch said.He will most likely be a defensive back at Case Western. His speed translates well to the position at the Division III level.Lynch was an All-WPIAL first-team defensive back the last two seasons.“I graduate from Case Western, I'm set for life,” Lynch said. “Playing football is something I love, but that was not my focus when picking a school.”Lynch was a three-year starter in football and basketball and a four-year starter in track and field.He was a captain on the football team for the last three seasons.“Leadership is the big thing with Brendan,” said Freeport coach John Gaillot early in the football season, “not by his voice but by action.”Lynch is also busy off the field and out of the classroom.He is a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club and the Football Reading Program for kindergarten and elementary school students.Lynch also worked with the Freeport Food Bank and Walk for Autism.“I just tried to do as much as I could,” Lynch said. “It's nice to help people.”
