A lot has changed for Adam Lynch during the past month.
The redshirt junior took a career 0-3 dual meet record into the Penn State wrestling team's Jan. 3 match at Lock Haven -- his first as the primary Nittany Lion 141-pounder.
Lynch defeated Lock Haven's Justin Loudon by major decision and has since compiled a 3-1 record in the Big Ten while beating three nationally ranked grapplers along the way.
The success didn't come as a big surprise to Lynch, whose dedication to the Lions is finally showing dividends.
"I just kept plugging away," Lynch said.
"Each match, I just kept progressing little bit by little bit. It felt good to know my hard work is paying off and I'm getting better."
It's Lynch's work ethic that assistant coach Troy Letters said is responsible for Lynch's results on the mat.
Letters said Lynch is always asking questions and is often the last person to leave the wrestling room after practice.
His persistence led to positive results in the Lions' last two dual meets, helping them reach No. 11 in the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association/USA Today Division I Team Coaches Poll.
Lynch was one of just two Lions to win a bout against Iowa, when he upset then-No. 5 Montell Marion.
He followed that up with a win in Wisconsin over then-No. 20 Cole Schmitt.
The idea of Lynch defeating two ranked opponents in one weekend seemed unlikely earlier in the season.
Lynch lost his starting spot to Colby Pisani at 141-pounds after being pinned in the team's Nov. 13 dual meet at Lehigh.
However, Pisani was one of five Lions to leave the team during Cael Sanderson's first year as head coach -- making Lynch the only option at 141.
While some wrestlers departed, Lynch's attitude is an example of what the coaching staff wants. Letters said the redshirt junior has adapted well to the coaching change and picked up on Sanderson's coaching techniques right away.
Lynch's hard work is not only benefiting him but has rubbed off on one of his teammates.
"He really gets me going," 149-pounder Frank Molinaro said. "I like watching him wrestle before I wrestle. It sort of calms me down watching him push through people with conditioning. It gets me confident with my conditioning."
A year at Navy may have helped with the structure and strict behavior necessary in wrestling, Lynch said.
But, he believes he's been fairly disciplined dating back to his days in high school.
Though Lynch wasn't included in the latest Intermat rankings on intermatwrestle.com, Letters said Lynch could earn a good seed in the Big Ten tournament with a few more victories.
From there, he'd be on a path to qualify for the NCAA championships, which is held March 18, 19 and 20 in Omaha, Neb.
While it's tough to tell what the rest of the season holds for Lynch, his future as a wrestler is also in question.
Though he still has a year of eligibility left, Lynch said he plans on attending graduate school rather than wrestling another season.
The coaches are aware of the Lion 141-pounder's plans, but Letters said they'd welcome Lynch back for another year.
"We'd love to have him back," Letters said.
"He's a great guy to have around the program. He does the right thing on and off the mat."
