News

Payton Blynn ’18 Named to United Soccer Coaches All-American Team

February 25th, 2018

Payton Blynn ’18 is seeing the culmination of a great high school soccer career. Not only did he officially sign earlier this month with St. John’s University Red Storm, an NCAA Division I men’s soccer team, but he was also named to the 2017 United Soccer Coaches High School Boys All-America Team.

Blynn, a senior defenseman on South Kent School’s Prep Soccer Team, was formally acknowledged for his accomplishments at the All-America Luncheon on January 20, 2018, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. He was one of only 67 boys to be recognized nationwide for this honor.

Upon the announcement, Blynn says he felt a big personal shift. “Nothing ever felt the same. It was like everything I’ve worked for was finally paying off. I think the fact that I made my college commitment at the same time helped that feeling quite a bit but I don’t have words for it,” he explains. “Everything was just falling into place. The banquet was awesome because they had High School All-Americans and every division of college All-Americans there. It was an unbelievable experience and I am grateful to everyone that has been there to help me get here.”

Six South Kent student-athletes have been chosen to play in the High School All-American game in the last four years. “That is a huge honor, but to be only the second player in the history of our program, following Detre Bell ’16, to receive All-American recognition from the United Soccer Coaches, is remarkable,” says Owen Finberg, Athletic Director and Prep Soccer Head Coach. “The honors Payton has received are well-deserved and show what type of development can occur when talented players work hard in our program. I'm extremely proud of him and all he has accomplished and I know that he has only begun to see what he can achieve.”

Congratulations to Payton on his hard work and success!

View the full list of High School All-Americans here.