Brittany Hellems/Staff Photographer
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Senior Joanel Lopez has had incredible success as a member of the Binghamton University track and field team. As much as his accomplishments mean to him, they are more significant because of what he had to go through in his life and how his being deaf continued to challenge him to be better every day.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1984, Lopez became deaf when he was just two years old. It was not always easy to deal with during his adolescence, but Lopez stayed strong and possessed a positive attitude about his disability.

“[Being deaf] does not mean that I cannot do most things,” he said. “I still have four senses left. I refuse to use that as an excuse to not do my best.”

To help get him through this difficult process, Lopez attended two deaf institutions: St. Francis de Sales School for the Deaf and Lexington School for the Deaf. These institutions aided him immensely in going about his life like any other normal teenager.

As a junior in high school, Lopez got involved with track and field, where he specialized in the shot put. He continued to pursue the sport at Howard University, where he spent his first three years of college. It was here that he really learned the true techniques of the sport, but the opportunity for change presented itself and Lopez took it by deciding to transfer to Binghamton University.

It was a big change for Lopez, moving from Washington, D.C., to upstate New York, but it was one that Lopez felt he had to make. Besides the environmental studies program which caters to his field of study, Binghamton provides services for students with disabilities. In addition, a throwing coach was present along with the head coach in the track and field program, a concept Lopez had never experienced before. Once at Binghamton, he was able to add the weight throw and hammer throw to his arsenal, which has paid immediate dividends.

Last season he placed second in the shot put in the America East Outdoor Championships and he was also named to the America East Academic Honor Roll. This season he has earned America East Men’s Field Athlete of the Week and he has set school records in the shot put multiple times. These accomplishments would not be possible without his hard work and dedication.

Binghamton head coach Mike Thompson has noticed all of the effort Lopez puts into the sport and noted that he goes above and beyond to prepare.

“Joanel works very hard in practice, as do the majority of the members on our team. The thing that separates Joanel is his commitment to throwing when he is away from practice. Whether he is watching video of elite throwers, reading books by elite coaches or simply trying new things he has seen or read, he is always consumed by throwing.”

Thompson also believes Lopez has enormous potential to do great things in the future. “I think Joanel could throw in the high 50s in the shot put, maybe further, if he continues to train and throw past college,” he said.

When not consumed by the rigors of his favorite sport, Lopez enjoys playing other sports, working out, sleeping and hanging out with friends. He also takes great pride in his school work and does not focus solely on track and field just because he is an athlete.

Director of the environmental studies program Peter Knuepfer had this to say: “Joanel is very focused, works very hard and is always asking great questions that really make you think. He has done extremely well as a student.”

As far as the future is concerned, Lopez hopes to find a job pertaining to his major of environmental studies. However, continuing as an amateur thrower is another goal within reach for Lopez. This summer, he plans on throwing at the 21st Summer Deaflympics in Taipei, Taiwan, as he is a new member of the USA Deaf Track and Field team.

For Lopez, it is just another chapter in his already successful life. Competing at a high level is nothing new for Lopez because it is expected of him and he expects it from himself. The devotion he shows for everything he does is what makes him special, and as he leaves Binghamton University, he will be remembered for more than just his athletic skills.