???Modesty is often overlooked in the world of sports. Athletes with huge egos and dynamic personalities usually get the fans and press, but some athletes rely on an unpretentious approach to success.
???Sophomore wrestler Jimmy Hamel is one of those athletes. Hamel, a sophomore psychology major, has dominated the wrestling mat over the last two years.
???Hamel's skill and dedication to the sport inspires his teammates. Head coach Jim Beichner believes his impressive sophomore leads by example and picks up his teammates.
???"He's not one of our loud vocal leaders, but it's better to speak softly and carry a big stick in our sport," he said. "It's better to lead by example then it is by words, and that's what he does."
???According to Beichner, Hamel is very well rounded as a person. He is reserved about his own wrestling skill, but when it comes to messing around and having fun, Jimmy is a great guy to be around.
???"He's modest when it comes to his ability, but he's a smart guy when it comes to other issues," Beichner said. "He's never cocky about his wrestling abilities or his impressive record, but he's fun to be around."
???Hamel joined the Buffalo wrestling team last year and immediately impressed in the 197-pound weight class. He compiled a record of 30-13 and placed third in the Mid-American Conference Championships last season. Hamel's impressive season earned him Top Newcomer honors.
???Despite the early success, Hamel is very modest. He was the youngest of twelve children, and the consistent ragging he received from his brothers and his family of wrestlers shaped Hamel as a tough human being.
???"I think it helped in a lot of ways," he said. "Growing up being the youngest, always getting beaten up and whatnot, it definitely toughens you up having all those older brothers."
???Wrestling became Hamel's passion while attending high school in Natick, Mass. Hamel also played lacrosse and football in high school. Despite a lack of presence in his home state, wrestling became Hamel's love.
???"Massachusetts wasn't exactly a big wrestling state," Hamel said. "I wanted to prove that good talent could come from [Massachusetts]."
???Hamel was greatly influenced by his brother Dave. The older Hamel was an All-American wrestler at Norwich University, a Division III school. He helped Jimmy tremendously during high school and was even an assistant coach on Jimmy's high school wrestling team.
???"He helped me a lot," Hamel said. "He always made me stay after and train."
???Hamel finds it tough being humble with a 28-10 record this season. He is already in eighth place in Buffalo's record book for most takedowns in a season.
???But Hamel believes his modesty has helped him become a better-rounded wrestler.
???"I never really thought I was that good," he said. "I think it maybe helped me, work a little harder and get nervous before matches, which helped me win a few matches I maybe shouldn't have won."
???As Hamel continues to climb up the mountain of NCAA Division I wrestling, he has two goals on his mind. He hopes to be an All-American and win the MAC Championship this season.
Above all, Hamel looks to return to the MAC Tournament with vengeance and a modest drive to capture the tournament he was so close to winning a year ago.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
