Four years ago, Ray Lamb came to Buffalo as a redshirt freshman wrestler. Three years ago Lamb wrestled for Drexel University. This year and last year Lamb wrestled for Buffalo. Apparently October blizzards and below zero temperatures were just too appealing to pass up.
The senior wrestler has bounced around in his collegiate career. Following the 2002-2003 season, Lamb transferred to Drexel in Philadelphia, Penn. After only one season there, Lamb decided to transfer back to Buffalo.
"Ray brings with him an enthusiasm that our team appreciates," said head coach Jim Beichner. "The fact he came back to finish his academic and wresting career here at the University at Buffalo I think is significant. This felt right to me because he started here and he was someone I liked and respected. I'm very happy he transferred back to UB to finish his career. He works hard, wrestles hard, trains hard. The guy comes in and does his job."
After not wrestling for a year, Lamb found himself injured after the Las Vegas Invitational ending his year prematurely. Despite the setback, Lamb's seniority and hard work has allowed him to become leader on the team he almost left for good three years ago.
Although his collegiate career bounced between "the City of Good Neighbors" and "the City of Brotherly Love," Lamb's roots are held firmly at Absegami High School in New Jersey. While there, Lamb helped lead his school to a state championship in 2002. Lamb traveled to Buffalo, though it was a small stop on his journey.
Lamb not only changed the colleges that he attended, but also his style of wrestling. When he began his collegiate career, he wrestled at the 157-pound division. While still at Drexel, Lamb moved up to the 165 pound class, though he still had weight to put on.
After coming back to Buffalo, Lamb competed once again at a higher weight class. In the 2005-2006 season, Lamb moved up to the 174-pound division, and this season has moved into the 197-pound division. This was a big jump for a man who was 40 pounds lighter just over three years ago.
"He's pretty fast," Beichner said. "As a result of wrestling at lower weight classes, that quickness and that speed helps him. His speed is his strength and uses it to the best of his ability."
Since coming back to Buffalo, Lamb has enjoyed his time as an athlete and a student. Despite the low Buffalo temperatures, he's adjusted to the weather and even found out about Loganberry and chicken finger subs, each a local favorite.
Whenever he has the time, Lamb loves to both listen to and play music. His favorites include Phish, the Disco Biscuits, Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton among others.
Phish is also responsible for playing the best show Lamb has ever seen, unfortunately, it was the last Phish concert ever played.
"The best concert, I'd say Phish's last concert," Lamb said. "Hopefully they'll get back together."
This summer Lamb hopes to attend some concerts and will hopefully be seen at either Bonnaroo in Tennessee or High Sierra in Northern California.
In addition to being a fan of listening to music, Lamb plays the electric guitar and is part of the UB Jam Club. If his wishes come true, Lamb will hopefully make a career out of the music he loves. That journey will begin next year as he hopes to be attending music school.
Despite all the moving around, Lamb has ended up in a place he really enjoys being.
"I feel like I'm a people person," Lamb said. "Everyone's so nice around here. It was so easy to adjust and come back."
This coming Friday is Senior Day for the wrestling team and a very exciting time for Lamb and his fellow soon-to-be-graduates. Lamb, along with Mark Budd, Jake Blowers and Mike Shannon, will be honored before this Friday night's match against school rival Kent State.
"I'm not nervous," Lamb said. "I'm looking forward to it."
Lamb's father, Ronald, will also be in attendance to see his son's final home match, though he has always been there to support his son.
"My dad took me everywhere, all my matches and practices," Lamb said.
While it has been great to be back at Buffalo, he and his teammates have yet to fulfill all of their goals and still know their best moments are yet to arrive.
"Hopefully winning the MAC championship," Lamb said.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
