Russ Bell Qualifies For National Team
6/26/2000 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
June 26, 2000
Missouri's Russ Bell competed at the USAFT Junior National Championships in Denton, Texas this past weekend in three of the four throwing events. The freshman finished third in one event and fourth in the other two earning a spot on the US National Junior team that will compete in Canada later this summer.
Bell competed in the junior national championships with the other 19-and-under track and field stars from around the country on Friday and Saturday that earned qualifying marks. Bell placed third in the hammer throw with a heave of 183 feet, 7 inches. That throw is less than a foot off his personal best mark from earlier in the season. The Jefferson City native placed fourth in both the discus and shot as well. Bell threw 171 feet, 6 inches in the discus and 54 feet, 6 inches in the shot put.
He will compete in the discus at a meet in Montreal, Canada and all three events at another meet in Canada later in the summer. Bell still has a chance to qualify for the World Junior Championships at a later date.
"I thought Russ threw very well," throws coach Brett Halter said. "After a long season, to compete like he did was exceptional. He had to compete at a high level for a very long time during the track season and to do what he did was outstanding."
