With winter athletics well underway, the Daily Kent Stater’s sports staff takes a look at the three teams at the helm of the battle to bring Kent State a Mid-American Conference Championship.

But every team needs a leader.

Leaders have to help their team using exceptional talent in practice, games, and they thrive under pressure.

Rod Sherman, Jamilah Humes and Nic Bedelyon each use a specific skill set to help their teams succeed.

Junior forward Justin Greene

Sport: Men’s Basketball (9-6, 0-1 MAC)

The Athlete: Justin Greene is a dominant force in the post that opponents struggle to deal with. He is able to defend some of the best big men playing collegiate basketball, as well as score on them at the opposite end with a combination of hook shots and jumpers.

Leads the team with: Three MAC East Player of the Week awards.

• Points per game – 16.2

• Field goals made per game – 6.3

• Free throws made per game – 3.7

• Rebounds per game – 7.7

• Blocked shots per game – 1.5

The Team: The Flashes are hurting right now as the team is in the midst of a three-game losing streak. After losing the final two out-of-conference games against Morehead State and James Madison, Kent State fell to Akron 65-62 in its first conference game of the season. The Flashes look to get their first MAC win early against Bowling Green on Tuesday at the M.A.C. Center.

Senior guard Jamilah Humes

Sport: Women’s Basketball

The Athlete: Jamilah Humes is a prolific scorer for the Flashes who has been named to the MAC All-Freshman team (2006-07). Then, after redshirting her 2007-08 season, Humes was named to the All-MAC Honorable Mention team (2008-09). Last season, the guard scored her 1,000th career point against Central Michigan, becoming just the 19th player in Kent State history to hit the mark.

The Team: Kent State is off to one of its best starts in recent history with a 11-3 record, and a undefeated 2-0 record in MAC play. The Flashes have won five of their last six games and are on a two-game winning streak. The Flashes return to action Wednesday at Ohio, before returning home on Saturday.

Junior Nic Bedelyon

Sport: Wrestling (7-5)

The Athlete:  Although Nic Bedelyon was redshirted the 2009-10 season, he entered the 2010-11 season tabbed No. 3 in the nation by The Open Mat at 125 pounds.  Bedelyon leads the Flashes with a 12-3 overall record, and an 8-3 dual record.   In his sophomore season (2008-09), Bedelyon became the 18th All-American in Kent State history when he finished eighth at the 125-pound weight class at the NCAA Championships.  

The Team:  Kent State (7-5) won three of four matches this weekend at the Virginia duals. Prior to the weekend matches, the Flashes toppled Cleveland State 33-3.  The wrestling team boasts a couple of MAC Champions from last seasons roster: Junior Brendan Barlow at the 285-pound title with an overtime victory against All-American Jarod Trice (Central Michigan) and junior Dustin Kilgore at the 184-pound title.

Contact Cody Erbacher at [email protected].