Jimmy Noel
SENIOR / PULASKI ACADEMY
OUTSTANDING PLAYER:WRESTLING
>> WHY HE WON
Jimmy Noel has always loved wrestling, but he didn’t truly commit to the sport until his freshman year. “I always loved football and stuff when I was younger, but I didn’t like wrestling too much,” Noel said. “I wanted to quit, but by the time I got to high school, something just clicked. It is such an individual sport, where the success comes down to you. You can’t hide behind teammates; you either succeed or fail on your own. My success depends on how hard I want to work.” The Pulaski Academy senior was recently named the 2018 All-Arkansas Preps Outstanding Wrestler of the Year. “It feels good to be recognized for the hard work we do year-round and to get recognition for it,” Noel said. He secured his spot by winning the state championship for the fourth straight year. “The training is always hard, but the feeling you get when you win makes it worth it,” Noel said. “It just makes you feel good about yourself. To me, there is no better feeling in the world.” Noel’s older brother, Nick Noel, wrestles at West Point for the United States Army. When Jimmy Noel thought about quitting wrestling, Nick was influential in getting him back on track. “I wouldn’t say it was uplifting stuff,” said Craig Noel, Jimmy’s father. “It was things older brothers say to motivate siblings. He was bigger than his older brother, but he couldn’t beat him. They became very good training partners. It raises the level of intensity.” Jimmy said Nick played a huge role in his life. “He would pound on me every day, and he wouldn’t let up,” Jimmy said. “He pushed me every day, and he helped me with my development as a wrestler.” Jimmy has signed with North Dakota State University to wrestle at the collegiate level and major in business. His coach said Jimmy chose NDSU because he would have a better chance of getting to wrestle his freshman year. “I am really looking forward to a wide variety of training partners and getting to compete at the national stage,” Jimmy said. “I want to put Arkansas on the map for wrestling and compete at the higher level.”
IT IS SUCH AN INDIVIDUAL SPORT, where the success comes down to you.You can’t hide behind teammates; you either succeed or fail on your own.” — Jimmy Noel, OUTSTANDING WRESTLER OF THE YEAR