Wrestling feature -- Aaron Lynch

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on February 13, 2004 2:01 PM

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Aaron Lynch's progression through wrestling has been exactly what Rosewood coach Bill Edmundson envisioned when Lynch competed as a freshman.

Lynch saw limited time his first season and earned three wins.

"He loved the sport and decided to get better," Edmundson said.

That perserverance began showing its benefits during Lynch's sophomore year. He posted 22 victories, claimed the Class 1-A Carolina/Tar-Roanoke Conference individual title at his weight class and earned all-conference honors. Lynch barely missed earning his first-ever trip to the N.C. High School Athletic Association Championships.

The summer after his sophomore year, Lynch continued to improve his technique and his strength. But leadership skills also emerged from the young man, a characteristic that Edmundson knew existed within Lynch's heart.

Lynch blossomed as a student of the sport at a premier national camp. Instructors diligently helped the 152-pounder sharpen his skills and taught him new techniques.

"Maturity does wonders for a young man on a mission," Edmundson said. "I have depended on Aaron for technique demonstration, showing some of the skills he has developed, and his fellow teammates respect him as a leader."

Lynch has yet to miss a weigh-in or a practice, and he's usually the last one to leave when practice has concluded. He's also well-disciplined when it comes to a wrestler's greatest challenge of maintaining weight. Lynch will pack away food like a camel holds water.

"You will find him running in place all the way to the other school dressed head to toe in warm-ups," a laughing Edmundson said.

And Lynch is certainly noticeable. He paces the mat like a hungry tiger scopes out his prey. He bounces around while listening to music from his portable CD player, and he'll stop every once in a while to watch a teammate battle on the mat.

Lynch's focus and intensity separates him from other wrestlers.

"He practices intensely and wrestles intensely," Edmundson said. "Wide open is Aaron's only speed. If you watch his warm-up routine, as many of his competitors do, you know you're in for a match unlike any other."

Lynch has put together an impressive resume thus far this season. He seized gold medals in the Eagle Invitational, Warrior Invitational and the C/T-RC Championships. He finished second at the Turkey Invitational at Wilson Hunt and fourth in the Falcon Invitational contested at Charles B. Aycock.

The Super 32 Report ranks Lynch No. 7 among the state's grapplers in his weight class, and he's collected 40 victories in 44 outings. Lynch became the 11th member of the school's Century Club (100 career wins) in late January.

"It's not always about wins and losses in an athlete's development, but how he grows in the sport and how he develops as a leader," Edmundson said. "Anyone who knows wrestling and knows what it takes to be successful in the sport understands that you learn a tremendous amount about yourself and the bigger picture of how to be successful in your life.

"Regardless of regional and state outcomes, Aaron will be a winner because of the work ethic he has developed and the fight he has inside himself to overcome obstacles."