Bryn Eudy was eating lunch while vacationing in Florida on Monday when she decided to check her email.
The recent Columbus East graduate found at least one of those emails to her liking. That was a letter from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America informing her of her 2016 NSCAA High School Scholar All-America Team selection.
“When I filled out the paperwork, I really didn’t get my hopes up,” Eudy said. “I was excited because it made me feel like all the hard work paid off.”
Eudy finished with a 3.8 GPA. This spring, she was awarded the prestigious Lilly Scholarship.
East coach Ilya Schwartzman said the honors are well deserved.
“As a program, we emphasize scholarship,” Schwartzman said. “School performance is at the top of the list, and to have soccer players in the program who are also top students is very pleasing. She’s just a fantastic individual that is receiving all the accolades that she’s worked hard to get.”
Eudy is the fourth Olympian to be honored by the NSCAA in as many years. She follows Emma Dwenger in 2013, Sydney Newell in 2014 and Kristen Bellinger last year.
“I just like being held up at the same level as those girls because they’ve all been so nice to play with,” Eudy said.
Although she was The Republic Girls Soccer Player of the Year as a senior, Eudy’s soccer career is likely finished. She is headed to Indiana University to major in journalism.
The goalkeeper said she considered playing club soccer at IU but probably will not.
“It’s crossed my mind a few times, but I don’t think I’d be able to balance it with work and schoolwork and doing student media at IU,” Eudy said.
Eudy worked for East’s student newspaper, The Oracle, all four years. She was its web editor this past year after developing the website for her senior project.
This summer, Eudy is interning with Engage Columbus. She has designed a few newsletters and helped with organizational e-mails.
“Once I realized that they were supported by the Heritage Fund, it made me want to get in contact with them,” Eudy said.
Eudy also may spend a little time this summer helping out Schwartzman with the East players before she heads to IU in mid-August.
“Hopefully, she’ll get into coaching,” Schwartzman said. “She’s a tremendous teacher, and maybe we’ll see her stay connected with soccer.”
