Meadows' Lynch has bright future

For the past three years, Ann Marie Lynch has been the president of her class at Rolling Meadows High School.

At the same time, she also moved to the head of the class among Illinois prep soccer players.

Only a junior, Lynch has already made a verbal commitment to play for Marquette University.

As for now, Mustangs girls basketball coach Todd Hatfield is happy the standout center-forward soccer player has also continued to play on the hardwood.

A guard for Hatfield's upstart Mustangs, Lynch is recovering from a broken hand.

Hatfield offers Lynch a big hand for her overall character and athleticism.

“I've been very fortunate over my past three years to get to know Ann Marie,” he said. “I consider myself lucky to be able to have spent so much time with her and truly get to know her in the classroom, outside the classroom, and as an athlete.”

At Marquette, Lynch will join one of the best women's soccer programs in the midwest.

Coach Markus Roeders has guided the Golden Eagles to a record of 202-80-31 in his 14 seasons and he has steered them to eight NCAA tourney appearances, including the last two years. Last season, Marquette won its first Big East American Division championship.

“I loved the coaching staff and the school when I was there,” Lynch said. “And they are very involved with the community which is something I have been involved with all my life.

“That's what I really enjoy, helping others and they have that same philosophy at Marquette. They do a lot of work at hospitals and other community service things like that.”

Lynch is a National Honor Society student with a weighted 4.68 grade-point average on a 5.0 scale. She is a Stampede Club Member (school spirit club) at Rolling Meadows and Mighty Mustang Mentor officer and member (freshman mentoring program).

Lynch is considering a major in the medicine field when she gets to college.

But that won't be for two more years. Right now, she is focused on helping her basketball and soccer teams at Rolling Meadows.

As a sophomore, Lynch served as a co-captain on the varsity soccer team and was an all-conference and all-area selection, collecting 9 goals and 5 assists.

“Over these years I have supported Ann Marie 100 percent with soccer and even helped her put together her soccer highlights to send out,” Hatfield said. “While she has missed some practices and games due to these national showcases, she would still call me after each game and tell me how she did and who was next.”

To show his support, Hatfield has attended a number of Lynch's high school and club team games throughout her three years at Meadows.

“Ann Marie's work ethic is unlike anyone else and extends to every aspect of her life including her family,” Hatfield said.

That work ethic dates to when Lynch started playing park district soccer at age 4. Four years later, she joined the Arlington Aces travel soccer club.

That's when she got the idea soccer was something she might want to pursue beyond her childhood years.

At 12, Lynch joined Sockers FC Chicago to advance her game to the next level.

“After the first couple years of playing with the club coaches, I realized that I could be a Division 1 prospect,” Lynch said. “This, of course, excited me greatly and got me to work even harder on the soccer field while I played year round.”

In high school, she began playing basketball in the winter as well.

“Both sports' time commitments are sometimes difficult to balance,” she said. “However my coaches (Hatfield and club coach Oleg Vatchev) have always been so understanding about me trying to pursue college soccer but conscious of my love for basketball as well.

“I'm grateful to all my coaches, including my high school soccer coach (Jeff Adkins) for everything they have done. And my parents, who have been behind me every step of the way and have always encouraged me to just try my best.”

Hatfield knows Lynch well, having taught her in the classroom for two years and because he serves as the Junior Class sponsor.

“I couldn't be more proud of her because I know how hard she has worked for this,” Hatfield said of Lynch's commitment to Marquette. “She is an absolutely amazing kid, I love her to death, and I would be blessed to have such an amazing daughter.”

Lynch never dreamed she would play for Marquette.

“Never in a million years did I think I would be fortunate enough to end up at such a prestigious school academically and athletically as Marquette,” Lynch said. “I am so excited to join such a successful soccer program and study at a school that has always been dedicated to serving its surrounding communities.”

Hatfield would not have been surprised to see Lynch make it to the next level in basketball.

“I recall after her freshman year when she led the MSL in assists, informing her that if she really wanted to play in college we could make it happen.” he said. “We spent that spring and summer putting together her highlight tape and sending it out.

“She was very reluctant, mostly because of her insecurities with her basketball abilities and she almost felt like it was a waste of time despite what I was telling her. She was even more shocked when we received letter after letter from schools that were interested in her and would be following her growth over the next three years.”

When the soccer opportunity presented itself, Lynch decided that would be her choice.

“If Ann Marie wanted to play badminton at the collegiate level she could because she would pour herself into it, making sure she was the absolute best,” Hatfield said.

Men's basketball

Led by 9 points from freshman Alan Aboona (St. Viator), Washington University's bench outscored Illinois Wesleyan 22-12 in an 83-75 overtime victory in St. Louis.

Men's soccer

Illinois Wesleyan goalkeeper Frankie Gorg (Hersey) was voted defensive MVP for the Titans.

He is a four-year letter winner, four-year College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin academic all conference selection and two-time CCIW Defensive Player of the Week.

Gorg was also named to the first team of the CoSIDA District V All-Academic squad, and had his name submitted on the national ballot for CoSIDA/ESPN Academic All-American consideration. He is majoring in math and risk management at IWU.

Women's soccer

Carroll senior center-midfielder Kelly Blenner (St. Viator) has been selected to the first team Midwest Conference all-conference team.Blenner helped Carroll to a 17-1 conference record the last two seasons and to its fourth and fifth conference championships.Rugby

Kevin Lydon, a junior at Conant High School and member of the Arlington Stallions Rugby Club, attended the USA Rugby HS All-American Camp from Dec. 26-31 in Santa Barbara, Calif.

He acquitted himself very well in the five-day camp, according to All-American assistant coach David Fee (head coach at Brother Rice High School's rugby club).

#8220;He has a great attitude and performed very well in his first exposure to competition at the national team level,#8221; Fee said. #8220;He could have a bright future and earn an invitation to return for future events if he continues to progress during the spring season.#8221;

The All-Americans will gather to play in the USA Sevens Tournament in February in Las Vegas and will possibly tour overseas later in 2011.

#376; Please e-mail Sports Notes items to jleusch@dailyherald.com or FAX to (847) 427-1173.