2010-11: Hamel redshirted the season, but showed his potential while wrestling at 141 pounds in open tournaments. He went 21-9 overall with a 7-2 record against the WWC and two major decisions.
Hamel opened with a 2-2 mark at the Northwest Open, before reeling off five-straight wins to take the title at the Cowboy Open. He followed with a fourth-place showing at the Kaufman-Brand Open and sixth at the UNK Loper Open with a combined 8-5 record at the events. He ended his season by finishing second at the Utah Valley Open and third at the Rocky Mountain Open.
High School: After placing fifth as a freshman and third as a sophomore, Hamel was the 2009 Arizona State 5A High School Champion at 130 pounds for Mesquite High School as a junior. He then went on to go undefeated as a senior and win his second state title as a senior, this time at 140 pounds. Hamel was an Arizona National Team member in 2008 and was an All-State selection as a sophomore, junior and senior.
Personal: Michael was born in Gillette, Wyo., on August 12, 1992. His mother is Gina Gagich and his father is Wyoming's All-Time Pins leader Mike Hamel. The elder Hamel lettered at UW from 1983-86, was a two-time WAC champion and had 61 career pins. Michael is a communications major at UW.
