Buckingham County High School senior Daniel Brickhill recently became one of only four high-school aged individuals in the state to be named a 2017 Virginia Sports Hall of Fame Student-Athlete of the Year.

Chosen from a pool of more than 100 nominees, he was one of 16 finalists invited to the Hall of Fame’s 13th annual Student-Athlete Achievement Awards event Dec. 3 in Virginia Beach where the Student-Athletes of the Year, two boys and two girls, were announced.

“It’s just really humbling,” Brickhill said of the accolade. “I’m there with a lot of kids from (Class 6, Class 5) schools, and just to have the honor to represent Buckingham, a smaller school, amongst a pool like that, … I consider myself lucky to be able to be from Buckingham and accomplish this and represent the school at something like this.”

The Hall of Fame’s press release noted that of the 16 finalists, “this year’s group included the (No. 1) high school girls basketball recruit in the country for the Class of 2019, a female golfer whose talent has allowed her to compete in both girls and boys state competitions, a student-athlete who has aspirations of running for president, multiple Eagle Scouts and numerous young people who will train with U.S. National team programs.”

Brickhill confirmed he was the student-athlete referred to as having aspirations of running for president of the U.S.

The Dec. 6 release cited that he “is currently first in his class out of 118 students with a 4.629 GPA. Brickhill has twice been named captain of the football team, while also a strong contributor to both the basketball and wrestling squads as well.”

“He fit the criteria for that award,” Buckingham Athletics Director Russ Gowin said. “He is just an exceptional student and an exceptional human being as well, just a hard worker. He’s one of the smartest kids that we’ve had here in athletics. He’s a great role model. He’s the kind of kid you would like your kid to grow up to be like. I can’t say enough good things about him.”

Brickhill has already published multiple opinion columns in The Herald, and the Hall of Fame’s release noted he serves as the Virginia Boys’ State Speaker of the House of Delegates, he is his senior class president, a National Honor society member, a member of the Virginia SCA Student Advisory Council, FBLA Chapter Vice President, has received National Merit Scholar Commendation, is a delegate for the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Seminar and serves as the President for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

He also helps tutor younger students and has embarked on mission trips in the U.S. and abroad.