Los Alamitos resident, Adam Payne received the Lee Brennan Scholarship awarded to outstanding Southern California divers. The funds will be added to his existing scholarship and grants when he attends USC in the fall. He will study communications and film and is a member of the Trojan dive team.
Lee Brennan was a top student athlete from Aliso Viejo excelling in diving as well as football and wrestling, and track. He died in a car accident on his way to Arizona State University where he was to be a member of their diving team. His dynamic spirit lives on through the good works of his parents Leo and Bev Brennan who sponsor scholarships in Lee’s name.
Payne was awarded the scholarship based on his ability to maintain excellent grades and compete as a top Varsity athlete while in the middle of family challenges. Payne has set every new record for the Los Al Boys dive team including highest score for a Los Al male diver at Sunset League competition, highest score and place at CIF competition, three-time Sunset League Boys Team Champion and 2012 Sunset League Champion.
Payne started diving with McCormick Divers at Belmont Plaza Olympic Pool in Long Beach when he was 6 years old. He has participated in the Lee Brennan Memorial Dive Meet almost every year since then including the five years his family lived in Australia. They would return to Southern California once a year, generally around the time of the Lee Brennan Memorial Meet. Payne says he’s proud to be associated with Lee Brennan’s dynamic legacy.