5 Super Athletes With Ties To Lynchburg

Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the Lynchburg area, these values have shaped some truly remarkable athletes from different eras, whose accomplishments continue to inspire.

Patch has teamed up with T-Mobile to spotlight five standout athletes whose achievements have left a lasting mark on our community. While this list is just a snapshot, there are countless others who have helped shape the rich sports culture in our area.

1. Daniella O’Neill (Tennis)

A standout for Liberty University in Lynchburg, Daniella O’Neill concluded her fall 2023 season with an 8-3 record, earning a share of the singles title at the LU Hidden Dual and finishing runner-up in doubles consolation at the ITA Conference Masters Championship. The redshirt sophomore from Dorado, Puerto Rico, garnered Conference USA Women’s Tennis Athlete of the Month honors for her performance, marking the first in-season accolade of her collegiate career.

2. Brooklyn Finnerty (Basketball)

Brooklyn Finnerty, of Lynchburg, made her mark in high school with over 1,000 career points and a state-record performance in rebounding. At the collegiate level, the 6’ center has been a star player, ranking third on her team in rebounds during the 2023-24 season with 16 steals and four blocks. A versatile athlete, Finnerty also plays volleyball, showcasing the all-around talent that earned her multiple Female Athlete of the Year honors.

3. Vinny Giles (Golf)

Lynchburg-born Marvin M. “Vinny” Giles III is one of the most decorated amateurs in golf history, famously becoming the only player to capture the U.S. Amateur, British Amateur and U.S. Senior Amateur titles. A five-time Walker Cup competitor (once serving as a non-playing captain), he also finished as low amateur at the Masters and won seven Virginia State Golf Association Amateur Championships. Off the course, Giles served as VSGA President and helped unify Virginia’s professional and amateur Opens.

4. Brandon Inge (Baseball)

Lynchburg’s Charles Brandon Inge carved out a 13-year Major League Baseball career primarily with the Detroit Tigers, plus stints with the Oakland Athletics and Pittsburgh Pirates. Renowned for his defensive prowess — once earning ESPN’s “defensive play of the year” for a third baseman — Inge switched seamlessly between catcher, third base and outfield roles. After finishing his playing days, he turned to coaching, currently serving as a volunteer assistant at the University of Michigan.

5. Matt Mills (Stock Car Driver)

Hailing from Lynchburg, Matt Mills competes in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with Niece Motorsports. In 2024, he posted a top-five finish and wrapped up the season 23rd in driver points, showcasing promising consistency. Mills has also raced extensively in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for BJ McLeod Motorsports and made his NASCAR Cup Series debut at Kansas Speedway in 2021.

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.