Messenger photo by Dana Becker st. edmond senior charlie doyle stands with his parents, Tim and Susan Doyle. Doyle was named the 2017 Terry Griffey Award winner, given annually to the top male athlete at St. Edmond.

Regardless of the sport, Charlie Doyle enjoyed himself to the fullest while competing at the highest level possible.

Doyle, a three-sport standout for St. Edmond, was recently honored as the Terry Griffey Award winner, handed out yearly to the top male athlete.

Over the years, Doyle watched as his older brother, Eddie, and sisters, Theresa and Jillian, competed in numerous sports as Gaels. Once his time arrived, he took advantage of every opportunity presented to him.

“They helped fuel my drive to play sports,” Doyle said. “I’d always look back and talk about what they did on the court or the course and try to do better.”

A co-captain and two-way starter on the football field, Doyle helped anchor the SEHS offensive and defensive lines. He was on the UNI-Dome field four years ago when the Gaels played for the Class 1A state championship in Cedar Falls, and was also on the sidelines the next year during their run to the semifinals.

“Raff Naughton’s helmet came off in two plays (during the semifinal) and was I lined up against a kid that played at Iowa,” Doyle laughed. “It was definitely a memorable moment, but that kid could have eaten me up. Luckily, both plays went the other direction and he only chipped me.

“That was something very special. Football was a lot of fun.”

During his three-year career, Doyle recorded 49 tackles, including two for loss. He had 26.5 his junior year and 19 this past fall despite missing time with a back injury.

Much like football, Doyle was a three-year member of the St. Edmond basketball program, leaving his mark on the three-point history books for the storied school. He scored 704 points over 67 games, averaging 10.5 per night.

Doyle made 155 career three-pointers and 239 total field goals, shooting 44 percent from both marks. He also had 209 assists and 38 steals.

“This past winter was kind of tough on me in basketball,” Doyle said. “I just wasn’t having as much fun playing the game, which really hurt because basketball was always something I loved doing and wanted to continue doing in the future.

“But I learned a lot about how to carry myself and how to act during the season. It definitely didn’t end how I had envisioned, but I feel like I’ve become better for it all.”

Golf was where Doyle earned his highest individual and team honors. As a junior, the Gaels placed second in 2A at state, led by a runner-up individual showing by Doyle.

He also qualified for state as a freshman, tying for 25th overall as the Gaels placed second, and as a sophomore, finishing 17th with St. Edmond taking fourth overall. During his four-year SEHS golf run, Doyle had a nine-hole low score of 34 and an 18-hole low of 69, while also claiming North Central Conference individual gold as a junior.

“Golf was always something fun and enjoyable to do,” Doyle said. “Coach (Dan) Streit said I was the first person to win (medalist honors) at every single NCC meet this past year, so that is pretty cool.

“Coach also said I ended up with the lowest career average for a Gael golfer, so that’s something I am very proud of.”

Doyle plans to attend the University of Iowa in the fall. Along with football, basketball and golf, he was also involved in National Honor Society, National Council on Youth Leadership and was the student body vice president.

“I’d like to personally thank my parents (Tim and Susan) for everything over the years,” Doyle said. “They took me to a lot of these basketball and golf events and really allowed me to become the person I am today.”

The criteria for the Terry Griffey Award is being a male student-athlete, earning a varsity letter in at least two sports by the end of the winter season of his senior year, demonstrates academic excellence, good citizenship and provides service to the school and community.

Named for Lt. Terrence Griffey, a graduate of 1958 graduate of St. Edmond, the award was first handed out in 1968. Griffey was killed in action over Vietnam in 1966.

Along with Doyle, Cole Allison, Connor Allison, Matt Bennett and Jake Heidenreich were also nominated for the award.

“I was very blessed to play with several great teammates over the years,” Doyle said. “It really is an honor to receive this award. I had great coaches and assistant coaches, and also a great athletic director in Joe Shanks, during my time at St. Edmond.”