Jason Edward Hammel is an American

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 musician. He is a vocalist and drummer for Mates of State

Mates of State

Mates of State are an American indie pop duo, active since 1997. The group is composed of the husband-and-wife team of Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel .Over the course of the band's fourteen year career, they've released three EPs and six full-length, studio...

, of which he is half complemented by his wife, Kori Hammel, a vocalist and keyboardist for the band. Married in 2001, Kori and Jason have two children. Hammel went to high school in Stewartville, Minnesota

Stewartville, Minnesota

As of the census of 2000, there were 5,411 people, 2,013 households, and 1,417 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,579.6 people per square mile . There were 2,074 housing units at an average density of 988.7 per square mile...

, where he played in rock bands. He then attended Kansas University where he was on the honor roll. There in 1997 he met Kori, then Kori Gardner. They moved to San Francisco together and got married. Until 2007, Jason and Kori lived in East Haven, CT, where they both ran in a 2003 5k

5000 metres

The 5000 metres is a popular running distance also known as 5 km or 5K in American English. It is one of the track events in the Olympic Games and the World Championships in Athletics. "5000 metres" refers to racing on a track and "5K" usually refers to a roadrace or cross country event...

. Jason placed 30th.