In 1987, Tom Lynch lived the dream for which so many athletes wish: He played on a championship team and racked up a slew of individual accomplishments at the same time.

Lynch, 38, was a three-sport athlete at Indian River before his graduation in June 1988. But he made his greatest impact on the football field.

He was the focal point of a powerful Indian River team that was undefeated and won the Section 3 Class C football crown that year, and was selected the Watertown Daily Times All-North MVP by the paper's readers.

He was well-deserving of the award.

Lynch rushed for 2,216 yards during that memorable Warriors season. At the time, that total was a single-season Section 3 and state record, and it remains fifth on Section 3's all-time list, according to records obtained from www.cnyhsfootball.com.

Even more impressive, Lynch touched the ball over 300 times that fall and fumbled just once, while producing 35 touchdowns.

Lynch produced the same type of record-breaking numbers throughout his whole career, and he went on to play one season for the University at Albany. He said the team's wishbone-style offense wasn't a good fit, so he left the team.

His 4,585 career rushing yards remains high on sectional and state all-time lists, too. Lynch was second in state history for yards one point, and is now 18th. He stands at sixth in the Section 3 record book, 51 yards ahead of former Lowville standout Mike Aubel.

Lynch still owns the Indian River school record, however.

"We knew we had the potential to win the whole thing (in 1987)," Lynch remembered. "Back then there weren't state playoffs. I'm proud of the records I had, but the highlight was going undefeated."

Lynch was nearly as dominant on the wrestling mat. He wrestled varsity for six seasons at a time when youngsters often spent several years on modified or JV. He was a three-time Frontier League champion, and three-time place finisher in the Section 3 tournament.

Lynch continued his athletic career after high school and college, playing six seasons for the Watertown Red and Black. He also spent 16 years officiating high school wrestling, and was invited to officiate at four state championship tournaments.

Lynch still exhibits the toughness he was known for as a local standout athlete. He medaled in the judo competition of the Empire State Games in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005. At 36 years old in 2006, he qualified for judo and wrestling, but a torn patella tendon prevented him from competing.

He also said he'd considered recently playing again for the Red and Black.

"If I was a few years younger, I would," Lynch said. "It would be neat for my kids to see me play."

Lynch lives in Antwerp and is a 10-year veteran of the New York State Department of Corrections. He has two sons, Macky, 14, and Shea, 10.

To read about previous selections to the Times' list of The North Country's Greatest 100 Athletes of All Time, long on to www.watertowndailytimes.com