Whenever Old Lyme High School boys' lacrosse coach Mike Murphy is looking for a shining example of a model student-athlete to bring up to players, Henry Hunt will come to mind.

Hunt excelled on the field and in the classroom, as well as being a respected leader and earning high marks in the character department.

"That's the example we tell the kids, this is what you aspire to," Murphy said. "There's no way you're not going to talk about someone like Hunt in the future. He's earned a lot of respect over these past few years. He's one of those guys that shows when you do the right thing and you do it consistently, it works out."

Hunt graduated from Old Lyme in the spring as one of the best lacrosse players in Class S, earning all-state honors three times during his outstanding career, twice a first team pick including this season. No attackman received more all-state votes than Hunt this spring.

For his accomplishments, Hunt was named The Day's 2016 All-Area Boys' Lacrosse Player of the Year, earning that distinction for the second straight season. He left as the program's all-time leading point scorer.

If you mention to Hunt that he'll be remembered at Old Lyme for his all-around accomplishments, he appreciates it but appears a bit uncomfortable with the attention. Hunt would rather turn the spotlight on his teammates.

"I hope people will look at me in a positive light," Hunt said. "I don't want to come off as a singular figure that people are totally focused on because there's a lot of great athletes in Old Lyme and a lot of great lacrosse athletes.

"But it's nice to be looked at that way by some people. It's definitely a compliment."

Hunt racked up some impressive numbers this season, setting a state record for points in a season with 157, beating his own mark from last spring. He scored 94 goals and handed out 63 assists.

He consistently produced in big games, contributing four goals and three assists against St. Joseph in a 14-11 loss in a Class S state tournament first-round game. He helped lead the Wildcats to their second straight Shoreline Conference championship by chipping in six goals and three assists. He worked as hard as off the ball as he did on the ball, according to Murphy.

"My senior season was awesome," Hunt said. "I really had a good year personally and I think the team had an awesome year, too. I couldn't ask for it to go better. I would have liked to have gone a little bit farther in the state tournament, but it is what it is."

Hunt also turned in a significant contribution as a team co-captain.

"He really made a big difference," Murphy said. "He's not a real rah-rah screamer type of guy. When he says something, the guys listen. It's more his example of going out there and working hard. He's a great example in the classroom, great example on the field and sportsmanship-wise."

Hunt took his leadership responsibilities very seriously right from the start. He attended preseason training in March, something that's optional for seniors.

"Being captain to me was pretty important," Hunt said. "... I really wanted to take an active leadership role. Being captain with a lot of seniors can be tough at times because they're your peers and the same age. But at the same time, a lot of our seniors stepped up as leaders. That made it easy."

A two-time Shoreline Conference scholar-athlete, Hunt is heading to Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y. He'll play in the New England Small College Athletic Conference, one of the top Division III leagues in the country.

So, why Hamilton?

"I was looking at a lot of schools in the Northeast, but I chose Hamilton because they play in the NESCAC, which is an extremely competitive lacrosse conference and that's something that I was interested in, and it's an extremely competitive liberal arts college," explained Hunt, who's yet to decide on a major. "Everyone there, the coaches and some professors that I met and all the kids on the lacrosse team are really good guys."

To prepare for athletic rigors, Hunt is following a workout plan this summer sent to him by his college coach. He's also breaking into the coaching ranks, working with a team of seventh- and eighth-graders in the Shoreline Lacrosse Club.

"They're all good kids and they listen well," Hunt said. "It's fun to give back to some of the younger kids. I remember when I was in their shoes. It's nice to have coaches who care and want to help them get better."

g.keefe@theday.com

The Day's 2016 All-Area Boys' Lacrosse Team

Player of the Year - Henry Hunt (Old Lyme)

Attack - Ryan deLaforcade (East Lyme), Logan Morin (NFA), Tyler Price (Montville)

Midfield - Andrew Frosti (Stonington), Kyle MacDonnell (East Lyme), Ryan Powers (Old Lyme)

Long-stick midfield - Andrew Noorigan (East Lyme)

Faceoff specialist - Gus Cummins (Old Lyme)

Defense - Dylan Janovic (East Lyme), Josh Turkowski (Old Lyme), Seamus Wallace (Stonington)

Goalie - Taylor Huta (Waterford)

Utility - Colbey Davis (NFA), Luke Letellier (Fitch)