Lyman left legacy of championships

When it came to athletics, Seamus Lyman knew how to get the most out of his body.

Lyman graduated from Watertown High School in 1990 as Section 3's all-time leader in wrestling victories, a three-time lacrosse all-star and one-time soccer all-star.

Whether using his arms, legs or head — or some combination of each — Lyman, it seemed, could do anything well.

The highlight of his wrestling career came in 1989 when he captured a state title at 155 pounds with a 3-1 decision over Johnson City's J.J. Stanbro. That triumph was sandwiched by a pair of runner-up finishes at the state meet. When Lyman lost a 7-4 decision to Emilio Collins of Tappan Zee in the 1990 state final at 167 pounds, it marked the end of a 70-match win streak for Lyman.

His final match record for the Cyclones: 156-16-3. Though several wrestlers have since posted more wins in Section 3, Lyman's accomplishments remain impressive.

He won four Frontier League titles, earning most-outstanding-wrestler honors as a freshman and junior, and added four Section 3 Class A titles (MOW as a freshman) and four Section 3 overall crowns (MOW as a senior).

Lyman accepted the 1990 Graf Award at WHS, earning recognition as the school's top male athlete for the year. He was also named a high school All-American that season.

Syracuse University granted Lyman a full scholarship, but Lyman's career was interrupted by reconstructive surgery on both shoulders. Lyman redshirted during his first year at SU, but went on to wrestle for four seasons, compiling a 66-44-1 overall match record.

Lyman also played three seasons of lacrosse at SU, where he was a reserve on the 1993 and '95 NCAA national championship teams. Lyman, who had won over 1,100 faceoffs while playing for WHS, served Syracuse as a midfielder and faceoff specialist.

Lyman's brother, Paul, also a former WHS athlete, won a state wrestling title for Johnson City in 1991, while uncles Tom and Pete Capone each won two state mat titles for Watertown.

Seamus Lyman earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Syracuse before attending Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where he received a juris doctor. He also holds two master of laws degrees from Georgetown University Law Center.

Lyman, 36, is senior partner and general counsel for Syracuse-based HDL Property Group LLC. HDL develops commercial real estate.

Lyman lives in Syracuse with his girlfriend, Jacqueline Oot.

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